El Kaabi's Breathtaking Strike Caps Morocco's Victory Over Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations Opening Match.

The the Moroccan side shook off a anxious start to beat Comoros in the competition's opening game on Sunday, thanks to Brahim Díaz and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.

It was a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the heavily tipped hosts, who are ranked 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to grind out for the points in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.

Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities

The hosts missed an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at the interval even with controlling the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.

It arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass into the net.

Every opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.

The Substitute's Moment of Magic

The tension was subsequently calmed by a piece of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only ten minutes after coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.

Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been the lead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.

Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity

Comoros stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the Moroccans' individual talent in the end made the difference.

Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor pulled off a number of further good stops to keep down the score as the game wore on, even though Comoros did have a chance for an equaliser shortly after Díaz's goal, with Saïd firing straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.

Fitness Concern for Hosts

The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the first half apparently in some distress.

This centre-back had just returned to the international setup last month following a year’s layoff due to ankle surgery.

This result continues Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to 19, beating the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.