Ayoub El Kaabi's Breathtaking Goal Caps The Atlas Lions' Victory Against Comoros in Afcon Opening Match.
Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a nervy beginning to overcome Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic performance, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to toil hard for the victory in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Nervy Start and Spurned Opportunities
Morocco missed an early penalty and were goalless at half-time even with dominating possession, eventually opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
It came when full-back Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it across for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.
Every opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second half,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
El Kaabi's Moment of Magic
Any lingering nerves was subsequently calmed by a piece of sheer genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes after his introduction, the striker met a ball into the box with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.
Earlier in the match, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
Comoros Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held Morocco for long periods before the Moroccans' superior firepower in the end told.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off a number of further good stops to limit the scoreline as the game wore on, although his team created a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Concern for Hosts
The victory was somewhat marred by an injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the 18th minute in some distress.
This centre-back had only made his comeback to the national side last month after a lengthy absence due to ankle surgery.
This result extends the team's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to nineteen, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.