Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Wraps Up Morocco's Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.
Host nation Morocco shook off a jittery beginning to overcome Comoros 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.
It was a hardly emphatic display, though, from the strongly favored Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to work tirelessly for the three points in rainy conditions at the national stadium.
Tense Start and Missed Opportunities
The hosts missed an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with dominating the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute of the second half.
The goal arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before laying it across for Díaz to sidefoot home.
“The opening game is invariably tough but we delivered in the second half,” said manager Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was then calmed by a moment of pure genius from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after his introduction, the striker met a ball into the box with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Before that, the Moroccan team could have been the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's effort was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Second-Half Chance
The underdogs stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods until the hosts' superior firepower in the end made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor made a number of further good stops to limit the scoreline as the game wore on, although his team created a chance for an equaliser shortly after the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The three points was partially marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, Saïss, who was forced off after the first half in tears.
The centre-back had just returned to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation.
The win continues Morocco's historic run of consecutive wins to 19, surpassing the previous record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.
