In the round of 16, Sarr was back in the starting XI to face a Sudan side who – ranked 117th in the world – briefly threatened to stage an upset at the Grand Stadium in Tangier.
Having won just one of their three group-stage matches, Sudan took a surprise lead after six minutes in their first-ever knockout match at at AFCON tournament through Aamir Abdallah's looping strike.
But after Sarr was denied by the goalkeeper with a crisp low effort, Senegal would come roaring back before half-time, Villarreal midfielder Papa Gueye striking twice from the edge of the box before the whistle.
Sudan did come close to finding a second-half equaliser but paid for their profligacy when 17-year-old PSG forward Ibrahim Mbaye came off the bench for Sarr on 74 minutes and, three minutes later, smashed one in at the near post.
In the quarter-finals, Sarr was an unused substitute for Senegal, whose secured a narrow 1-0 win over Mali in Tangier to reach the semi-finals.
Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye was the match-winner, with Spurs' Yves Bissouma sent off for Mali just before half-time.
Chances were exchanged in the second-half, but that was enough to settle the contest.
In the semi-finals, there was a repeat of the 2021 final against Egypt – which Sarr's side won on penalties – with the game being played once more at Grand Stade de Tanger.
Sarr started the game on the bench but, following a cagey contest which Senegal generally dominated without converting their chances, witnessed Mané grab the winning goal 12 minutes from time with an excellent finish from outside the box.
The Palace man entered the fray on 85 minutes as a replacement for Ndiaye and helped his team see out five minutes of injury time in mostly comfort, save for a fine last-minute save by Edouard Mendy against to deny Omar Marmoush – seven-time winners Egypt's only shot on target in the match.
The result led to the third AFCON Final of Sarr's career, and third in the last five iterations of the tournament for Senegal.
And there, the Lions of Teranga roared to the trophy in sensational fashion.
Match Details
All times below are GMT.
- Tuesday, 23rd December (Group D): Senegal 3-0 Botswana
- Sarr played the first 85 minutes and registered an assist in a comprehensive win.
- Saturday, 27th December (Group D): Senegal 1-1 DR Congo
- Sarr played the first 62 minutes as his country hit back to secure an important point.
- Tuesday, 30th December (Group D): Benin 0-3 Senegal
- Sarr was rested and did not feature from the bench as his side secured top spot in Group D.
- Saturday, 3rd January (Round of 16): Senegal 3-1 Sudan
- Sarr played the first 74 minutes, going close to scoring on several occasions, and helped his team to a come-from-behind win in the round of 16.
- Friday, 9th January (Quarter-finals): Mali 0-1 Senegal
- Sarr was an unused substitute.
- Wednesday, 14th January (Semi-finals): Senegal 1-0 Egypt
- Sarr featured off the bench for the final five minutes, helping his country see out a late victory through Sadio Mané and reach a third AFCON final of his career.
- Sunday, 18th January (Final): Senegal 1-0 Morocco (after extra-time)
- Sarr came on in the 77th minute; had a goal controversially ruled out in the 92nd minute; could've had an assist in extra-time; but ultimately helped his country secure their second ever continental title.
