El Kaabi's Stunning Strike Caps Morocco's Triumph Over Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations Opening Match.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a nervy beginning to overcome their island opponents in the tournament's first match on the weekend, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a less than dominant showing, though, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and had to grind out for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Tense Beginning and Missed Opportunities
Morocco missed an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite controlling the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Díaz to calmly pass home.
“The first match is never easy but we came good in the second half,” said manager Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance
Any lingering nerves was subsequently extinguished by a moment of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after his introduction, the striker connected with a cross with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Before that, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by keeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay until the hosts' greater quality in the end made the difference.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made several other good stops to keep down the score as the match wore on, although Comoros did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly after Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Worry for Morocco
The three points was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Saïss, who was forced off after the 18th minute in tears.
This centre-back had only made his comeback to the national side recently following a lengthy layoff due to ankle surgery.
This result continues the team's historic run of successive wins to nineteen, beating the previous best of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
