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The Morocco overcame a nervy beginning to beat their island opponents in the tournament's first match on the weekend, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and substitute El Kaabi in the latter period.

This constituted a less than dominant performance, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places above the tiny Indian Ocean nation in the FIFA rankings and had to toil hard for the points in wet conditions at the national stadium.

Tense Beginning and Missed Opportunities

Morocco failed to convert an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at the interval even with controlling the ball, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute of the second half.

The goal arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it across for Díaz to calmly pass home.

“The first match is invariably tough but we improved in the second half,” commented Morocco coach Regragui.

The Substitute's Piece of Brilliance

Any lingering nerves was then calmed by a piece of pure individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following coming on, the forward met a cross with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the result.

Before that, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Díaz. However, Rahimi's penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.

Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity

Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco for long periods before the hosts' greater quality eventually made the difference.

Goalkeeper Pandor made a number of further fine saves to limit the scoreline as the game wore on, although Comoros did have a chance for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Rafiki Saïd firing straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

Injury Worry for Hosts

The victory was partially overshadowed by an injury to Morocco's skipper, Romain Saïss, who limped off in the 18th minute in tears.

This defender had just made his comeback to the national side recently after a year’s absence caused by ankle surgery.

This result extends Morocco's historic run of consecutive victories to nineteen, surpassing the previous best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.