El Kaabi's Spectacular Strike Caps The Atlas Lions' Triumph Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations Opening Match.
Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a nervy start to defeat Comoros in the competition's first match on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
It was a hardly emphatic showing, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and were forced to grind out for the three points in wet conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Start and Missed Opportunities
The hosts missed an early spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite dominating the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
It arrived after full-back Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
Every first match is never easy but we came good in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Magic
The tension was subsequently extinguished by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following coming on, the forward met a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.
Earlier in the match, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
Comoros Defiant Stand and Second-Half Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay until the hosts' superior firepower in the end told.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off several other fine saves to limit the scoreline as the game wore on, although Comoros did have a chance for an equalizer shortly after Díaz's goal, with Saïd shooting directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Concern for Morocco
The victory was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the first half in some distress.
The centre-back had just returned to the national side last month following a lengthy absence caused by a serious ankle operation.
The win continues Morocco's historic run of consecutive victories to nineteen, beating the previous best of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
