Ayoub El Kaabi's Spectacular Finish Caps The Atlas Lions' Triumph Over Comoros in Afcon Opener.

Host nation Morocco overcame a jittery start to beat Comoros in the competition's first match on Sunday, with goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.

This constituted a less than dominant display, however, from the heavily tipped hosts, who sit 97 places above the small Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and were forced to grind out for the victory in rainy conditions at Rabat's national stadium.

Tense Beginning and Missed Opportunities

The hosts failed to convert an early spot-kick and were goalless at half-time despite dominating possession, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.

The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.

“The opening game is invariably tough but we came good in the second period,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.

The Substitute's Moment of Magic

Any lingering nerves was then calmed by a piece of pure genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes after his introduction, the striker met a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.

Earlier in the match, the hosts could have been ahead in the 11th minute after a penalty was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.

The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Opportunity

Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the Moroccans' greater quality eventually told.

Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor made a number of other good stops to keep down 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 firing straight at keeper Bounou.

Fitness Worry for Morocco

The victory was partially overshadowed by an apparent injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the 18th minute in tears.

The defender had just returned to the national side recently after a year’s layoff caused by ankle surgery.

This result continues Morocco's record-breaking run of successive wins to 19, beating the old best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.