What's happened
Morocco started their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 win over Comoros in Rabat. Despite a slow first half and a missed penalty, Morocco secured victory with goals from Diaz and El Kaabi, extending their winning streak to 19 matches. Captain Saiss was injured early in the game.
What's behind the headline?
Morocco's victory highlights their resilience despite a sluggish start and a missed penalty, reflecting their depth and tactical adaptability. The injury to captain Saiss could impact their cohesion, but the team's ability to secure a win under pressure demonstrates their championship potential. The match also underscores the importance of mental toughness in tournament settings, especially when expectations are high. Their extended winning streak will likely boost confidence, but the team must address early-game vulnerabilities to sustain success in tougher fixtures ahead.
What the papers say
All Africa reports Morocco's narrow victory and injury concerns, emphasizing their record streak and home advantage. Al Jazeera provides detailed match analysis, noting the missed penalty and the significance of the victory for Morocco's confidence. France 24 highlights the match's atmosphere, the tactical adjustments made after halftime, and the implications for Morocco's tournament prospects. The differing perspectives underscore Morocco's resilience and the challenges they face moving forward.
How we got here
Morocco, ranked 11th globally, is hosting AFCON 2025, aiming for their first continental title. The team has been on a record-breaking winning streak, surpassing Spain's previous record of 15 consecutive wins. The tournament features teams from across Africa, with Morocco playing in Group A alongside Mali and Zambia.
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Common question
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How Did Morocco Win Their First Match at AFCON 2025?
Morocco kicked off their AFCON 2025 campaign with a solid 2-0 victory over Comoros in Rabat. Despite some early setbacks, including a missed penalty and an injury to their captain, Morocco demonstrated resilience and tactical skill. This victory marks their first step toward a potential continental title, and many are curious about how they achieved this win, who scored, and what it means for their tournament run. Below, we answer the most common questions about Morocco's opening match and their impressive streak.
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Ayoub El Kaabi is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for Hatayspor and the Morocco national team. He started his professional career playing for Racing de Casablanca.
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Hoalid Regragui, known as Walid Regragui, is a Moroccan professional football manager and former player who played as a right-back. He is the head coach of the Morocco national team.
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The Morocco national football team, nicknamed "the Atlas Lions", represents Morocco in men's international football competitions. It is controlled by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, also known as FRMF. The team's colours are red and green. The tea
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The Comoros national football team represents the Comoros in international football and is controlled by the Comoros Football Federation. It was formed in 1979, joined the Confederation of African Football in 2003, and became a FIFA member in 2005.