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The Morocco overcame a jittery start to overcome Comoros in the competition's inaugural fixture on Sunday, thanks to the Real Madrid attacker and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.

This constituted a hardly emphatic showing, though, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the world rankings and were forced to toil hard for the victory in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.

Nervy Beginning and Spurned Opportunities

Morocco failed to convert an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with controlling possession, eventually opening the scoring in the 55th minute.

The goal arrived after full-back Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Díaz to calmly pass into the net.

“The first match is invariably tough but we delivered in the second period,” said manager Walid Regragui.

The Substitute's Moment of Brilliance

Any lingering nerves was then extinguished by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Only ten minutes following coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a stunning overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.

Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team might have taken the lead in the 11th minute when a spot-kick was given for a foul on Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was kept out by keeper Pandor.

Comoros Resistance and Second-Half Opportunity

Comoros stoutly defended against Morocco at bay until the hosts' superior firepower in the end made the difference.

Shot-stopper Pandor pulled off several other fine saves to keep down the score as the match wore on, even though Comoros created a clear opportunity for an equaliser shortly following Díaz's goal, with Saïd shooting straight at keeper Yassine Bounou.

Fitness Concern for Morocco

The three points was partially overshadowed by an injury to the captain, Saïss, who was forced off after the first half apparently in some distress.

The centre-back had only returned to the international setup recently after a year’s layoff due to a serious ankle operation.

This result continues the team's historic run of successive victories to nineteen, surpassing the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.