"Image source, Getty Images Morocco had their own Scott McTominay to thank as Scotland's World Cup opponents opened the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 victory over Comoros in front of capacity home crowd. Ayoub El Kaabi's stunning overhead kick, reminiscent of the Scotland midfielder's iconic strike in the recent World Cup qualifier against Denmark, sealed the three points with 15 minutes remaining for the tournament hosts after Brahim Diaz opened the scoring 10 minutes after half time."
"The 26-year-old Real Madrid winger was perhaps fortunate to win himself a spot kick when he looked to initiate contact with Iyad Mohamed's planted foot as he tried to wriggle free on the byeline after just 10 minutes. Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor beat away Soufiane Rahimi's penalty as it was thumped down the centre of goal."
"This time, he threw himself to the ground under a challenge from two Comoros defenders only to rightly be penalised for a hand ball before either could put in a challenge. The quality of Diaz's free-kicks were also sadly lacking. However, he was a constant danger when staying on his feet, given licence to drift to both wings as well as attacking through the middle."
Morocco defeated Comoros 2-0 in Rabat before a crowd of 60,180, extending the Atlas Lions' world-record run of consecutive victories to 19. Brahim Diaz opened the scoring about 10 minutes after half time, and Ayoub El Kaabi sealed the win with a spectacular overhead kick 15 minutes from time. Diaz, who switched allegiance to Morocco in 2024 after one Spain cap, won an early spot kick that was saved and later was penalised for a hand ball when appealing for another. Diaz proved dangerous on the ball despite inconsistent free-kicks; Comoros remained stubborn throughout.
Read at www.bbc.com
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