Mbappe’s Panenka seals Madrid’s away win as Diaz’s AFCON saga ends with a bang

Highlights

The French forward delivered a creative moment against his Moroccan teammate in a La Liga clash between Villarreal and Real Madrid.

Mbappe earned a late penalty and coolly converted it in the 94th minute, doubling Madrid's lead after Brahim Diaz had opened the scoring in the 47th minute, giving Real Madrid a 2-0 win away from home.

Madrid dominance was clear for long stretches, with Diaz's early finish proving the difference as the visitors controlled possession and tempo.

The match slipped into a tense defensive phase after the early exchanges, with chances scarce for Villarreal.

The visiting Madrid fans celebrated wildly as the second goal arrived, sealing the three-point haul and boosting their confidence for the rest of the campaign.

What it means

Diaz had recently failed to convert a Panenka in AFCON 2025 final against Senegal, with Edouard Mendy saving the spot-kick.

In added time, Diaz was on the end of a sharp burst of pressure as Bab Jaye of Villarreal fired a rocket that sealed Senegal's AFCON title for the second time in their history.

In extra time, a rocket goal by Bab Jaye sealed Senegal's AFCON title for the second time in their history.

So, while Madrid celebrated the win in Spain, Senegal celebrated a continental crown that night, and the football world kept its eyes peeled for the next twist in this global soap opera.

Punchline 1: If Panenkas were stand-up, Mbappe just delivered the closing joke of the night.

Punchline 2: And for Diaz, AFCON final drama proved that sometimes the post-match plot twists are funnier than any script.