🔗 Share this article El Kaabi's Breathtaking Goal Secures The Atlas Lions' Triumph Against Comoros in Africa Cup of Nations Opener. Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a jittery start to defeat Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, thanks to Brahim Díaz and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period. This constituted a hardly emphatic display, though, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who sit 97 places above the small island nation in the world rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the three points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium. Tense Start and Spurned Opportunities The hosts missed an early spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with dominating possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute of the second half. The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it across for Díaz to calmly pass home. Every opening game is never easy but we improved in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Walid Regragui. The Substitute's Piece of Magic Any lingering nerves was then calmed by a piece of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following his introduction, the forward connected with a cross with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result. Before that, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by keeper Pandor. The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Opportunity The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the Moroccans' superior firepower in the end made the difference. Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor pulled off a number of other good stops to limit the scoreline as the game progressed, although his team did have a chance for an equalizer shortly after the first goal, with Saïd firing directly into Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Injury Concern for Hosts The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the 18th minute apparently in some distress. This centre-back had just made his comeback to the international setup last month after a lengthy absence caused by ankle surgery. This result extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to nineteen, beating the old record of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.