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Host nation Morocco shook off a jittery start to defeat their island opponents in the tournament's inaugural fixture on the weekend, thanks to Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi in the second half.

This constituted a less than dominant performance, however, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the small island nation in the world rankings and had to grind out for the victory in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.

Tense Beginning and Spurned Chances

Morocco failed to convert an first-half penalty and were goalless at the interval even with controlling possession, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.

It arrived after Noussair Mazraoui showed great skill to keep the ball in play before slipping it square for Brahim Díaz to calmly pass home.

“The first match is always difficult but we came good in the second half,” commented manager Walid Regragui.

The Substitute's Piece of Magic

Any lingering nerves was subsequently extinguished by a moment of sheer individual brilliance from substitute El Kaabi. Only 10 minutes after coming on, the striker met a ball into the box with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, doubling and sealing the result.

Before that, the hosts might have taken the lead in the 11th minute when a penalty was awarded for a foul on Brahim Díaz. Yet, Soufiane Rahimi effort was saved by keeper Pandor.

Comoros Defiant Stand and Second-Half Opportunity

The underdogs comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay before the hosts' greater quality eventually made the difference.

Shot-stopper Yannick Pandor pulled off several other good stops to limit the scoreline as the game progressed, even though Comoros created a chance for an equaliser shortly following the first goal, with Saïd shooting directly into keeper Yassine Bounou.

Injury Concern for Morocco

The victory was somewhat overshadowed by an apparent injury to the skipper, Saïss, who was forced off after the first half in some distress.

This centre-back had just returned to the national side last month after a lengthy layoff due to ankle surgery.

The win extends the team's record-breaking run of successive victories to nineteen, beating the previous record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.