Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Goal Caps Morocco's Win Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations Opener.
Host nation Morocco shook off a jittery start to overcome Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on the weekend, after strikes by the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
This constituted a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the heavily tipped hosts, who are ranked 97 places above the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to grind out for the points in rainy conditions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.
Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts missed an early spot-kick and were goalless at half-time even with controlling the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
It arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it square for Díaz to calmly pass home.
“The first match is never easy but we delivered in the second half,” commented manager Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Magic
The tension was then calmed by a piece of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes following his introduction, the striker connected with a cross with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.
Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was awarded for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Chance
The underdogs stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods before the hosts' superior firepower in the end told.
Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor pulled off several further good stops to keep down the score as the game wore on, although his team created a chance for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Fitness Worry for Morocco
The victory was partially marred by an injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off after the first half in tears.
This centre-back had just made his comeback to the national side last month after a year’s absence caused by a serious ankle operation.
This result continues the team's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to nineteen, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.
