Ayoub El Kaabi's Stunning Goal Wraps Up Morocco's Triumph Over the Coelacanths in Afcon First Game.

The the Moroccan side overcame a jittery start to beat Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on Sunday, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the second half.

It was a less than dominant display, however, from the strongly favored hosts, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small island nation in the FIFA rankings and had to toil hard for the victory in wet conditions at the national stadium.

Tense Beginning and Missed Opportunities

The hosts missed an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at the interval despite controlling the ball, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.

The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Díaz to calmly pass home.

“The opening game is never easy but we came good in the second period,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.

The Substitute's Piece of Magic

The tension was then eased by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following coming on, the forward met a ball into the box with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.

Before that, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by keeper Pandor.

Comoros Resistance and Late Chance

The underdogs stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods until the hosts' greater quality in the end told.

Goalkeeper Pandor made a number of other fine saves to keep down the scoreline as the game progressed, even though his team did have a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Injury Worry for Hosts

The victory was partially marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who limped off after the 18th minute in tears.

The centre-back had only returned to the national side last month after a lengthy layoff caused by ankle surgery.

This result continues Morocco's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, surpassing the previous record of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.