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The Morocco overcame a anxious start to beat their island opponents in the competition's inaugural fixture on the weekend, with goals from the Real Madrid attacker and super-sub El Kaabi in the second half.

This constituted a hardly emphatic display, however, from the heavily tipped Moroccans, who sit 97 places higher than the tiny island nation in the world rankings and had to work tirelessly for the victory in wet conditions at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.

Nervy Start and Spurned Chances

The hosts missed an first-half penalty and were locked at 0-0 at half-time even with controlling the ball, finally breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute.

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

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

The Substitute's Piece of Brilliance

Any lingering nerves was then eased by a piece of pure individual brilliance from Ayoub El Kaabi. Just ten minutes after his introduction, the striker met a ball into the box with a spectacular overhead kick in the 74th minute, making it two and ensuring the result.

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

Comoros Defiant Stand and Late Opportunity

Comoros comfortably held their more illustrious opponents at bay before the hosts' greater quality in the end made the difference.

Goalkeeper Pandor pulled off several further good stops to keep down the score as the match wore on, although his team created a clear opportunity for an equalizer shortly following Díaz's goal, with Rafiki Saïd shooting directly into keeper Bounou.

Fitness Concern for Hosts

The three points was somewhat marred by an apparent injury to the captain, Saïss, who limped off in the 18th minute in tears.

This defender had only returned to the international setup last month after a lengthy absence due to ankle surgery.

The win extends the team's historic run of successive wins to 19, beating the old record of 15 set by the Spanish national team between 2008 and 2009.