El Kaabi's Spectacular Goal Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Win Over the Coelacanths in Africa Cup of Nations First Game.

Host nation the Moroccan side shook off a anxious start to beat Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on the weekend, with goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the latter period.

This constituted a hardly emphatic display, however, from the heavily tipped hosts, who are ranked 97 places above the tiny island nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at the national stadium.

Tense Beginning and Spurned Chances

Morocco failed to convert an early penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time despite controlling the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.

The goal arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.

“The first match is always difficult but we improved in the second half,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui.

The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance

Any lingering nerves was then extinguished by a moment of sheer genius from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes after coming on, the forward met a cross with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the win.

Before that, the hosts might have taken ahead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Rahimi's effort was saved by keeper Yannick Pandor.

The Visitors' Resistance and Second-Half Chance

The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay before the Moroccans' greater quality in the end told.

Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several other good stops to keep down the score as the match wore on, even though his team created a chance for an equaliser shortly after Díaz's goal, with Saïd shooting directly into Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.

Fitness Concern for Hosts

The victory was partially marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's captain, Saïss, who limped off in the 18th minute apparently in some distress.

The centre-back had only made his comeback to the national side last month after a lengthy layoff due to a serious ankle operation.

This result extends Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive victories to 19, surpassing the old best of 15 set by Spain from 2008 and 2009.