Overview
- Diaz saw his stoppage-time Panenka saved by Edouard Mendy in the AFCON final, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time through Pape Gueye.
- The penalty was preceded by protests and a temporary Senegal walk-off that created a lengthy delay and heightened pressure on the taker.
- Reporting describes a wave of criticism and online abuse directed at Diaz for attempting the audacious finish in such a decisive moment.
- Luis Enrique defended Diaz as an exceptional player and said he is neither an assassin nor a bad person, drawing on his past work with the player for Spain.
- The coach cited examples such as Zinedine Zidane and Sergio Ramos to explain the risk-reward of Panenka penalties, and Ramos posted a message urging Diaz to keep his head high.