Morocco 2-0 Comoros: Report, result and goals as Atlas Lions kick off AFCON with win

Morocco opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 win over Comoros, with goals from Brahim Diaz and Ayoub El Kaabi settling a contest that remained finely balanced until the hour mark.

The hosts dominated possession from the opening stages and were handed an early opportunity to take the lead when Brahim Diaz was fouled in the penalty area inside ten minutes.

Soufiane Rahimi stepped up from the spot, but his low effort was saved by Yannick Pandor, who guessed correctly to his left.

Morocco continued to probe before the interval, with attempts from Azzedine Ounahi, Ismael Saibari and Nayef Aguerd failing to trouble the goalkeeper.

A VAR review midway through the half confirmed no penalty following a handball appeal involving Diaz, while Comoros carried occasional threat on the counter through Rafiki Said and Youssouf M’Changama.

Second half

The breakthrough arrived ten minutes after the restart. Noussair Mazraoui advanced down the right and picked out Diaz in the box, and the winger finished confidently with his right foot into the bottom corner to give Morocco a deserved lead.

Comoros responded with increased urgency and went close when Rafiki Said tested Yassine Bounou from close range, but the Morocco goalkeeper dealt comfortably with the effort.

Morocco strengthened their grip on the match in the 74th minute. Anass Salah-Eddine delivered a low ball into the area, where Ayoub El Kaabi met it first time to guide a left-footed finish past Pandor and double the advantage.

The goal followed a period of sustained pressure and effectively ended Comoros’ hopes of a comeback.