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Host nation the Moroccan side overcame a anxious beginning to overcome Comoros in the tournament's opening game on Sunday, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.

This constituted a less than dominant performance, however, from the highly fancied Moroccans, who are ranked 97 places higher than the small island nation in the world rankings and had to work tirelessly for the three points in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.

Nervy Start and Spurned Chances

The hosts missed an first-half penalty and were goalless at the interval even with dominating the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.

The goal came when Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to prevent the ball from going out before laying it square for Díaz to sidefoot into the net.

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

El Kaabi's Piece of Magic

The tension was then eased by a piece of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after his introduction, the striker met a cross with a acrobatic bicycle kick in the 74th minute, doubling and ensuring the result.

Earlier in the match, the Moroccan team could have been ahead in the 11th minute after a spot-kick was given for a foul on Brahim Díaz. However, Soufiane Rahimi penalty was kept out by Comoros goalkeeper Pandor.

Comoros Resistance and Late Chance

Comoros stoutly defended against their more illustrious opponents for long periods until the hosts' individual talent in the end made the difference.

Goalkeeper Pandor made several further fine saves to limit the score as the match wore on, although his team did have a chance for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Saïd firing straight at keeper Bounou.

Fitness Worry for Hosts

The three points was partially marred by an injury to the skipper, Saïss, who limped off after the first half apparently in tears.

This defender had just returned to the international setup last month after a lengthy absence caused by a serious ankle operation.

This result extends the team's record-breaking run of successive wins to 19, beating the old best of 15 set by the Spanish national team from 2008 and 2009.