Sadio Mane struck the winning penalty as Senegal defeated Egypt to win the Africa Cup of Nations - but only after a stroke of fortune prevented him from receiving a second yellow card.
The Liverpool forward made amends for his first-half blunder by lashing the decisive spot kick of the shootout into the bottom corner to crown his country kings of the continent for the first time in their history.
Mane continued his excellent form at the Cameroon-hosted tournament with fine game against Egypt while also showing his class by consoling club teammate and Pharaohs captain Mohamed Salah afterwards.
However, questions will be asked of whether he should have been on the pitch to take the all-important penalty after he appeared to attempt a blatant dive during extra time.
Should Sadio Mane have been sent off for diving in extra time? Have your say in the comments...
The 29-year-old flung himself to the ground just outside the penalty area as Egypt centre-back Mohamed Abdelmonem came across to make a challenge.
Replays suggested there was no contact between the two players despite Mane's appeals for a free kick and a potential second yellow card for Abdelmonem.
The referee simply pointed for a goal kick as Egypt players protested, but Mane escaped punishment having already had his name taken for a late challenge at the end of regular time.
The Senegal talisman may have been a relieved man - and this soon turned to elation as he converted in the shootout.
Unlike in regular time, Mane made no mistake from 12 yards with a brilliant penalty after Edouard Mendy denied a tame effort from Mohanad Lasheen to give Senegal the advantage.
Mane was also crowned player of the tournament having scored three times and registered two assists for his country.
He will soon return to Liverpool full of confidence and ready to build on his 10 goals at club level during the second half of the season.
However, it appears unlikely Mane or Salah will take part in Thursday's Premier League encounter against Leicester, with Jurgen Klopp reluctant to overburden the two finalists.
Liverpool have coped well in their star duo's absence and beat Cardiff 3-1 to advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup earlier on Sunday.
Prior to that, the Reds recorded routine league wins over Brentford and Crystal Palace to stay just about in touch with Manchester City at the top of the table.
They also booked their spot in the Carabao Cup final thanks to a Diogo Jota-inspired victory over Arsenal in January.
