Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Victory Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations Opener.
Host nation Morocco overcame a jittery start to defeat Comoros in the tournament's opening game on the weekend, after strikes by Brahim Díaz and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic showing, however, from the strongly favored Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the three points in rainy conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Nervy Start and Missed Opportunities
The hosts missed an first-half penalty and were goalless at half-time despite dominating possession, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
It came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Díaz to sidefoot home.
“The opening game is invariably tough but we delivered in the second half,” said Morocco coach Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Brilliance
Any lingering nerves was subsequently extinguished by a moment of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes following his introduction, the forward met a cross with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods before the Moroccans' individual talent eventually made the difference.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor made a number of other fine saves to keep down the scoreline as the game wore on, even though his team did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Worry for Hosts
The three points was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the first half in some distress.
The defender had only made his comeback to the national side recently after a lengthy layoff due to a serious ankle operation.
This result extends the team's historic run of successive victories to 19, surpassing the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
