Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Strike Caps The Atlas Lions' Victory Over Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations First Game.
Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a anxious start to defeat their island opponents in the competition's first match on the weekend, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, however, from the strongly favored Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places above the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to toil hard for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Start and Missed Opportunities
The hosts failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with controlling the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Díaz to calmly pass home.
“The opening game is invariably tough but we delivered in the second period,” commented manager Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
The tension was subsequently calmed by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following coming on, the forward connected with a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the win.
Before that, the hosts could have been the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Chance
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the hosts' greater quality eventually told.
Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor pulled off several other fine saves to limit the score as the game progressed, although Comoros did have a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd shooting straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The three points was somewhat marred by an injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the 18th minute in tears.
The centre-back had just returned to the national side last month after a year’s absence caused by a serious ankle operation.
The win continues the team's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the previous record of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.
