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Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a nervy beginning to defeat Comoros in the competition'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 display, however, from the highly fancied hosts, who sit 97 places higher than the small Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to work tirelessly for the three points in wet conditions at the national stadium.

Nervy Beginning and Missed Chances

Morocco failed to convert an early penalty and were goalless at half-time even with dominating the ball, finally opening the scoring in the 55th minute.

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

“The first match is invariably tough but we came good in the second half,” said Morocco coach Regragui.

The Substitute's Piece of Magic

The tension was subsequently calmed by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes following coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a acrobatic overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.

Before that, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was awarded for a foul on Díaz. Yet, Rahimi's effort was kept out by keeper Yannick Pandor.

The Visitors' Defiant Stand and Late Chance

Comoros stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the hosts' superior firepower in the end told.

Goalkeeper Pandor made several further fine saves to keep down the score as the match wore on, although Comoros created a chance for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing directly into Morocco goalkeeper Bounou.

Injury Concern for Morocco

The three points was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to the skipper, Romain Saïss, who was forced off after the first half apparently in some distress.

This defender had only returned to the national side last month following a lengthy layoff caused by ankle surgery.

This result extends Morocco's record-breaking run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the old record of 15 set by Spain between 2008 and 2009.