El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Triumph Over Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations Opening Match.
Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a nervy start to overcome Comoros in the tournament's first match on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic display, though, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to grind out for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Tense Beginning and Missed Chances
Morocco failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were goalless at the interval despite dominating the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.
It came when full-back Mazraoui did well to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home.
“The first match is invariably tough but we came good in the second period,” commented manager Walid Regragui.
The Substitute's Piece of Magic
The tension was subsequently extinguished by a piece of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after his introduction, the striker met a cross with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.
Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.
The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Second-Half Opportunity
Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the Moroccans' greater quality eventually made the difference.
Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off several further good stops to limit the score as the match wore on, even though his team created a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into keeper Bounou.
Injury Worry for Morocco
The three points was partially marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who was forced off after the first half apparently in some distress.
The defender had just made his comeback to the national side recently after a year’s layoff due to ankle surgery.
This result continues Morocco's historic run of consecutive wins to nineteen, surpassing the old best of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
