Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Strike Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Victory Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.

The Morocco overcame a nervy start to overcome their island opponents in the competition's first match on Sunday, with goals from Brahim Díaz and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.

This constituted a less than dominant performance, however, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to work tirelessly for the victory in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.

Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities

The hosts failed to convert an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite controlling possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.

It came when full-back Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it square for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.

“The first match is always difficult but we delivered in the second half,” said manager Walid Regragui.

El Kaabi's Moment of Magic

The tension was subsequently eased by a piece of sheer genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only ten minutes after coming on, the striker connected with a ball into the box with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.

Before that, the Moroccan team could have been the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.

Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity

The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the hosts' greater quality in the end made the difference.

Shot-stopper Pandor made a number of further good stops to limit the scoreline as the game wore on, even though his team created a chance for an equalizer shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.

Injury Worry for Hosts

The victory was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to the captain, Saïss, who was forced off after the 18th minute in some distress.

The centre-back had only returned to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff caused by a serious ankle operation.

The win extends Morocco's record-breaking run of successive wins to 19, beating the old record of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.