In Rabat, the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium felt like the right place for a favorite to set the tone. Morocco did just that. With a calm 2-0 win over Comoros to open the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the Atlas Lions showed the kind of patience that wins tournaments. It was not flashy. It did not need to be. It was professional, controlled, and timely.

After a tight first half, second-half goals from Brahim Díaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi settled it. Morocco leave Matchday 1 on top of Group A with three points and a +2 goal difference. Comoros, brave and organized, leave with credit for their shape and spirit, but no points.

Morocco vs Comoros: control meets resistance

From the first whistle, Morocco pushed high and kept the ball. They looked to stretch the field and pull Comoros out of their compact block. The visitors, well-drilled and serious, held their lines and forced Morocco to work the ball side to side. It was a chess match in the first 45 minutes. Morocco probed; Comoros stayed calm.

This is the kind of game that often trips up favorites early in big tournaments. But Morocco did not rush. They kept their positioning, avoided risky passes, and trusted that a gap would appear.

Brahim Díaz breaks the lock

The gap came on 55 minutes, and it came from speed of thought rather than raw power. Noussair Mazraoui, joining from the left, drilled a low cross into the box. Brahim Díaz read it early, arrived on time, and finished cleanly. One touch, one moment, and the mood changed.

Díaz’s goal mattered for more than the score. It rewarded Morocco’s patience and showed how their wide play could unpick a packed defense. It also gave Comoros a problem: keep sitting deep and risk a second, or step forward and risk space behind. Either way, Morocco now had control.

“This is what champions look like: calm when the game gets tight.”

Ayoub El Kaabi adds the cushion with style

Head coach decisions matter most in the final third of games, and the introduction of Ayoub El Kaabi paid off quickly. On 74 minutes, the striker delivered the kind of finish strikers dream about, meeting the ball with an acrobatic overhead to make it 2-0. It was the moment that shut the door.

El Kaabi’s instinct inside the penalty area is exactly why he is trusted off the bench or from the start. His timing and bravery turned a narrow lead into a safe one. Morocco could then manage the remaining minutes with a cooler head.

“El Kaabi off the bench is a cheat code for Group A.”

Game management and maturity seal the points

At 2-0, Morocco did not chase a third. They did something smarter. They slowed the game, protected the middle, and pushed Comoros into wide, low-percentage areas. The visitors found only half-chances from distance or tight angles. Morocco’s back line stayed connected, and the midfield balanced risk with safety.

This matters in a tournament. Energy must be saved for later rounds. A smart finish to a game like this keeps legs fresh and minds clear. Morocco looked like a team that understands the bigger picture.

“Díaz gives Morocco the key they missed last time: a lock-picker against low blocks.”

Key moments that defined Morocco 2-0 Comoros

• 55′ — Brahim Díaz times his run to finish a low cross from Noussair Mazraoui.
• 74′ — Ayoub El Kaabi seals it with a brave overhead finish.
• Final stretch — Morocco manage the tempo, deny clear looks, and close out cleanly.

AFCON 2025 Group A picture: early advantage for the hosts

Early points are gold in the group stage. Morocco sit on three points with a +2 goal difference. That is the perfect platform after one match. Comoros, meanwhile, can take heart from their discipline and structure. They were hard to break down for long stretches and stayed in the game until the second goal.

For Morocco, the value is not just in the scoreline. It is in the message. They showed they can win without chaos. They can be patient, and then be decisive. That sends a strong signal to the rest of Group A.

Tactics in simple terms: width, patience, reward

Morocco used the ball to move Comoros side to side. The wide areas mattered, especially on the left where Mazraoui’s delivery led to the first goal. By keeping the width and not forcing the final pass too early, Morocco wore down the block and found the timing for the breakthrough.

Comoros deserve credit. Their compact shape, tight lines, and clear plan kept the game close for over 50 minutes. Against many teams, that plan earns a point. Against Morocco, it took two special moments to break. That is the thin line at AFCON level.

Players in focus

• Brahim Díaz — Sharp movement and a tidy finish changed the mood and the match.
• Ayoub El Kaabi — Impact substitute with a highlight-reel overhead to settle the result.
• Noussair Mazraoui — Intelligent run and low cross created the key opening.

So what does this mean for Morocco’s AFCON campaign?

It means they can win in different ways. They do not need to blast teams off the pitch from the start. They can read the game, make the right changes, and strike when the door opens. In tournaments, that balance between patience and punch is often what separates the very good from the champions.

There will be tougher days ahead. There will be games where the first chance must go in or where the defense must stand firm under pressure. But on this night in Rabat, Morocco did the job that all favorites must do: take control of the group quietly and keep the noise for later.

Final word: a smart win that travels

Morocco’s 2-0 over Comoros was a lesson in doing the basics well and trusting your stars to add the final touch. Three points, two goals, no panic. For an AFCON opener, that is about as good as it gets. For Comoros, the base is solid; a bit more bite in attack, and they will trouble teams in the next games.

For now, the Atlas Lions carry the look of a team comfortable with the weight of expectation. The road is long, but this is a strong first step.