El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Secures Morocco's Win Against Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations First Game.
The Morocco overcame a nervy beginning to beat their island opponents in the competition's first match on the weekend, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a less than dominant performance, though, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Start and Spurned Chances
The hosts missed an early spot-kick and were goalless at half-time despite dominating possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
Every first match is invariably tough but we came good in the second half,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
The tension was then extinguished by a piece of sheer genius from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following his introduction, the forward met a cross with a stunning bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Before that, the Moroccan team could have been the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Chance
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco for long periods until the Moroccans' individual talent in the end told.
Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several other fine saves to keep down the score as the game progressed, although Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The three points was somewhat marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, Saïss, who limped off after the first half apparently in tears.
The centre-back had just made his comeback to the international setup last month after a lengthy absence due to a serious ankle operation.
The win extends the team's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to nineteen, beating the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.