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The the Moroccan side overcame a anxious beginning to beat Comoros in the tournament's first match on the weekend, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half.

It was a hardly emphatic performance, though, from the strongly favored hosts, who sit 97 places above the tiny island nation in the FIFA rankings and were forced to toil hard for the three points in rainy conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.

Tense Start and Spurned Opportunities

Morocco missed an first-half penalty and were goalless at the interval even with dominating the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute of the second half.

The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball in play before laying it square for Brahim Díaz to sidefoot home.

“The first match is never easy but we came good in the second period,” commented manager Regragui.

The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance

Any lingering nerves was subsequently extinguished by a moment of sheer genius from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following coming on, the forward connected with a cross with a stunning bicycle kick in the 74th minute, making it two and sealing the result.

Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken ahead in the 11th minute when a penalty was given for a foul on Díaz. However, Rahimi's effort was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.

Comoros Resistance and Second-Half Chance

The underdogs stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods before the hosts' greater quality in the end made the difference.

Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off several further good stops to limit the score as the match wore on, even though Comoros did have a chance for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Saïd firing directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.

Fitness Concern for Hosts

The victory was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to Morocco's captain, Romain Saïss, who limped off after the first half in tears.

The defender had just made his comeback to the national side last month following a year’s layoff due to ankle surgery.

This result continues Morocco's record-breaking run of consecutive wins to nineteen, surpassing the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.