The 35th Africa Cup of Nations officially got underway on Sunday, December 21, 2025, and the host nation, Morocco, did not disappoint. In a rainy and tension-filled night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the Atlas Lions secured a hard-fought 2–0 victory over Comoros, sending a message to the rest of the continent.
Despite a frustrating first half that saw a missed penalty and a tearful injury exit for their captain, Walid Regragui’s side eventually found their clinical edge to secure all three points in Group A.
A Frustrating First Half
The match began with high drama. After a spectacular opening ceremony featuring artists like Angélique Kidjo, the home fans were ready for a blowout.
The Penalty Miss (10'): Real Madrid’s Brahim DÃaz was tripped in the box, earning an early penalty. However, Soufiane Rahimi saw his spot-kick saved by the hero of the night for Comoros, goalkeeper Yannick Pandor, who used his legs to keep the scores level.
The Captain’s Heartbreak (18'): A significant blow struck the Moroccan camp when veteran centre-back and captain Romain Saïss limped off in tears with what appeared to be a recurring ankle injury. He was replaced by Jawad El Yamiq.
Comoros Resistance: Ranked 108th in the world, Comoros lived up to their "giant-killers" reputation, defending deep and frustrating the North African giants until the half-time whistle.
The Breakthrough: DÃaz and the "Bicycle Kick"
The second half saw a more urgent Moroccan side, buoyed by a crowd of over 60,000.
Brahim DÃaz (55'): The deadlock was finally broken when Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui drove down the right and squared a perfect ball for DÃaz, who side-footed home his first-ever AFCON goal.
Ayoub El Kaabi (74'): The highlight of the night came from the bench. Substitute Ayoub El Kaabi, just ten minutes after entering the fray, met an Anass Salah-Eddine cross with a stunning, acrobatic overhead bicycle kick that left the keeper rooted to the spot.
"The opening game is always difficult because of the expectation," Coach Walid Regragui said. "We have been preparing for this for two years. The 2–0 scoreline is well-deserved, even if we were a bit nervous early on."
Stats of the Night
World Record Extended: This win marks Morocco’s 19th consecutive victory, further extending their world record for a national team (surpassing Spain's previous record of 15).
Hakimi Preserved: Interestingly, star man Achraf Hakimi watched the entire match from the bench as a precaution due to an ankle niggle, showing the incredible depth of this Moroccan squad.
What’s Next?
The Atlas Lions now sit comfortably at the top of Group A. Their next challenge is a heavyweight clash against Mali on Friday, December 26, back in Rabat. Comoros will head to Casablanca to face Zambia on the same day, hoping to keep their knockout hopes alive.
The Verdict: While it wasn't a perfect performance, Morocco showed the "championship DNA" needed to navigate a difficult opening fixture. If El Kaabi is scoring bicycle kicks from the bench, the rest of Africa should be very worried.