Rabat, Morocco – Ayoub El Kaabi's spectacular bicycle kick sealed a 2-0 victory for hosts Morocco against Comoros in the opening match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, sparking jubilation among the home crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The match, held on Sunday night, saw Morocco overcoming a resilient Comoros side to secure an important first win in Group A.

The Atlas Lions, considered favorites in this year's tournament, dominated possession from the kickoff, but Comoros proved a tough opponent to break down. The visitors defended compactly, frustrating Morocco's attacking efforts for much of the first half. Morocco's Brahim Díaz was a constant threat, and his early burst into the box led to a penalty. However, Soufiane Rahimi's penalty was saved by Comoros goalkeeper Yannick Pandor, adding to the home side's frustration. Adding to Morocco's woes, captain Romain Saïss was forced off with an injury following a collision.

The deadlock was finally broken ten minutes into the second half. A sweeping move down the left flank culminated in Noussair Mazraoui delivering a low cross that found Díaz, who calmly slotted the ball home. The goal ignited the stadium and relieved some of the tension that had been building.

However, the moment of the match arrived in the 74th minute, when substitute Ayoub El Kaabi scored a stunning goal that is already being hailed as a potential Puskás Award contender. Anass Salah-Eddine floated a cross into the box, and El Kaabi launched himself into the air, executing a perfect overhead kick that arrowed into the corner of the net. The crowd erupted as El Kaabi wheeled away in celebration, his acrobatic effort securing the victory for Morocco.

The victory puts Morocco in early control of Group A as they aim to build momentum in their quest for the AFCON title. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable win, Comoros proved to be a difficult opponent, and Morocco will need to be at their best in their upcoming matches against Mali and Zambia. The match also marked the fourth consecutive AFCON tournament in which the host nation has won its opening game.

The match wasn't without its challenges for Morocco. The early injury to Saïss disrupted their rhythm, and the penalty miss could have further unsettled the team. However, Walid Regragui's side showed resilience and quality, with Díaz's creativity and El Kaabi's brilliance ultimately proving the difference.

For Comoros, despite the defeat, there were positives to take from their performance. Their defense was well-organized for long periods, and goalkeeper Pandor impressed with his penalty save and overall performance. They will need to build on this defensive solidity and find more attacking threat if they are to progress in the tournament.

Morocco will be buoyed by this victory and the electric atmosphere created by their home fans. El Kaabi’s stunning strike will undoubtedly be replayed countless times, and it has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting AFCON tournament on home soil.