El Kaabi's Breathtaking Finish Wraps Up The Atlas Lions' Win Over the Coelacanths in Afcon Opening Match.

Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a jittery start to beat Comoros in the tournament's inaugural fixture on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the latter period.

It was a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the strongly favored hosts, who are ranked 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the world rankings and were forced to work tirelessly for the points in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.

Nervy Beginning and Missed Opportunities

The hosts failed to convert an first-half spot-kick and were locked at 0-0 at half-time despite controlling the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.

It came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it across for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot into the net.

Every opening game is always difficult but we improved in the second half,” commented manager Regragui.

El Kaabi's Moment of Magic

The tension was then eased by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just 10 minutes after his introduction, the striker connected with a ball into the box with a stunning bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.

Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team could have been ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a challenge on Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was kept out by keeper Pandor.

Comoros Resistance and Second-Half Chance

The underdogs comfortably held Morocco for long periods until the hosts' superior firepower in the end made the difference.

Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off a number of other fine saves to keep down the score as the game progressed, even though Comoros created a chance for an equaliser shortly after Díaz's goal, with Saïd firing straight at Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.

Injury Worry for Hosts

The three points was partially marred by an apparent injury to the captain, Romain Saïss, who was forced off in the first half apparently in tears.

The centre-back had just made his comeback to the national side last month following a lengthy layoff caused by a serious ankle operation.

The win extends the team's historic run of successive wins to nineteen, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.