El Kaabi's Breathtaking Strike Wraps Up Morocco's Triumph Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations First Game.
The the Moroccan side shook off a nervy start to overcome their island opponents in the tournament's first match on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.
It was a hardly emphatic showing, however, from the strongly favored hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to grind out for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's national stadium.
Tense Beginning and Spurned Opportunities
The hosts missed an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time despite controlling possession, finally opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the second half.
It came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Díaz to sidefoot home.
“The opening game is never easy but we came good in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.
The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance
The tension was subsequently extinguished by a moment of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following his introduction, the forward met a cross with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.
Before that, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.
The Visitors' Resistance and Late Opportunity
The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents for long periods before the hosts' greater quality eventually told.
Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor made a number of other good stops to keep down the scoreline as the game progressed, although Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.
Injury Concern for Hosts
The three points was somewhat marred by an injury to Morocco's captain, Saïss, who limped off in the 18th minute apparently in tears.
The defender had just made his comeback to the international setup last month following a year’s layoff caused by a serious ankle operation.
The win continues Morocco's record-breaking run of successive wins to 19, beating the old record of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.
