Morocco Team Started Winning : Africa Cup of Nations 2025

Yesterday, December 22, 2025, under the floodlights of a packed stadium pulsating with red and green, the Morocco team started winning : Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in style.

Opening group-stage matches of big tournaments have a notoriously tricky nature bestowed upon them. There is a rich history of countries that host such events being paralysed by expectation and succumbing to draws or worse. Not this Morocco team, however. This golden generation of footballers.

In a match that had it all in terms of frustration, missed penalties, Real Madrid magic, and goal-of-the-tournament quality, Morocco beat the spirited Comoros team 2-0 to take control of Group A.

At MoroccosGate, we are buzzing with pride. Whether you were in the stands or watching over a cup of coffee in a Casablanca café or listening from Ireland, yesterday was a statement. Morocco wants to not just host the party but own it.

Here is the full deep dive on what happened during the course of the evening and what this win means beyond three points.

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The Narrative: Breaking the “Host Nation Curse”

The atmosphere before kickoff was electric. The “Christmas AFCON” has officially begun, and the gift everyone wanted was a win.

Comoros, nicknamed The Coelacanths, came into this game with nothing to lose. They are a team known for their defensive discipline and ability to frustrate giants. For 45 minutes, it looked like their game plan was working perfectly.

But champions find a way. The Morocco team started winning : Africa Cup of Nations 2025 not by luck, but by persistence, quality, and the sheer depth of a squad that is currently the envy of Africa.

Final Score: Morocco 2 – 0 Comoros
Date: Monday, Dec 22, 2025

0-45 Minutes: The Frustration and The Miss

The first half was a test of nerves. Morocco came out of the blocks flying, dominating possession and pinning Comoros back into their own penalty area. The intent was clear: score early and settle the crowd.

The Turning Point That Wasn’t (11th Minute)

It seemed the dream start had arrived just 11 minutes in.
Real Madrid star Brahim Díaz, dancing through the defense with his low center of gravity, was clumsily brought down in the box. The referee pointed to the spot immediately. Penalty to Morocco.

Up stepped Soufiane Rahimi. The stadium held its breath.
Rahimi, usually so reliable, struck the ball firmly, but he was denied. Yannick Pandor, the Comoros goalkeeper, guessed right—literally and figuratively. He dove to his side and pushed the ball away.

A collective groan echoed around the stadium. Was this going to be “one of those nights“?

The Wall of Comoros

For the rest of the half, Morocco besieged the Comoros goal. They moved the ball left to right, trying to find gaps in a low block that was organized and stubborn.
Despite recording high possession stats and creating half-chances, the Atlas Lions couldn’t find the final touch. Comoros defended heroically, throwing bodies on the line.

Halftime Score: Morocco 0 – 0 Comoros.

The tension was palpable. Regragui needed to have a big halftime team talk.

46-90 Minutes: The Breakthrough and The Magic

Whatever Walid Regragui said in the dressing room worked. Morocco came out for the second half with renewed intensity and sharper movement.

Brahim Díaz Breaks the Deadlock (55th Minute)

Ten minutes into the second half, the quality difference finally told.
Noussair Mazraoui, playing with the intelligence of a seasoned veteran, found space on the flank. He looked up and delivered a precise pass into the danger zone.

There was Brahim Díaz.

Making up for the earlier penalty incident (which he won), Díaz showed why he plays for the biggest club in the world. He reacted fastest, finishing from close range with a composure that settled the nerves of an entire nation.

1-0 Morocco.

The relief was explosive. The goal forced Comoros to come out of their shell, which only created more space for the Moroccan attackers.

The Goal of the Tournament (74th Minute)

Then came the moment that will be replayed on highlight reels for years to come.
Substitute Ayoub El Kaabi had only been on the pitch for a short while. Known for his predatory instincts, El Kaabi decided to do something spectacular.

Young full-back Anass Salah-Eddine whipped in a cross. The ball was slightly behind El Kaabi. Most strikers would have tried to control it or head it back across goal.
Not El Kaabi.

He launched himself into the air, back to goal, and connected with a stunning overhead kick. The ball flew past Pandor before he could even react.

2-0 Morocco.

It was a world-class finish. A defining moment. It was the kind of goal that signals a team playing with supreme confidence. The stadium erupted in disbelief and joy.

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Why Morocco Won

Looking beyond the goals, the stats tell the story of total dominance. The Morocco team started winning : Africa Cup of Nations 2025 because they controlled every metric of the game.

1. Expected Goals (xG) Dominance

• Morocco: 2.0 xG
• Comoros: 0.3 xG

These numbers don’t lie. Morocco created high-quality chances consistent with scoring two goals. Comoros, while brave, rarely threatened the Moroccan goal. The defense, marshaled by Aguerd and Saiss, was virtually a spectator for large parts of the game.

2. Squad Depth

The second goal highlighted Morocco’s greatest weapon: the bench.
The assist came from Anass Salah-Eddine and the goal from Ayoub El Kaabi—players who can change a game in an instant. When you can bring on a striker capable of scoring bicycle kicks to kill off a game, you are a serious title contender.

3. Mental Resilience

Missing a penalty in the 11th minute of an opening home game can destroy a team’s confidence. It leads to panic. But Morocco stayed calm. They kept passing, kept probing, and trusted their system. This mental toughness is what separates champions from contenders.

The Streak: A World Record Extended

This victory wasn’t just about three points; it was about history.
With this win, Morocco has extended their world-record winning run to 19 consecutive matches.

Let that sink in. Nineteen wins in a row.

This is a level of consistency that is almost unheard of in international football. It sends a terrifying message to the rest of Africa: The Atlas Lions have forgotten how to lose.
Every game they play now is a chance to extend a legacy that might never be broken.

Player Ratings: Who Shone for the Atlas Lions?

Brahim Díaz (8.5/10):

• The Man of the Match. He won the penalty (though it was missed) and scored the crucial opening goal. He was the creative spark whenever Comoros packed the defense.

Ayoub El Kaabi (9/10):

• Came off the bench and scored a Puskas Award contender. You cannot ask for more from an impact sub.

Noussair Mazraoui (8/10):

• Solid defensively and provided the crucial assist for the first goal. His experience is vital for this team.

Yannick Pandor (Comoros – 8/10):

• Despite losing, the Comoros goalkeeper deserves huge credit. He saved a penalty and kept the scoreline respectable with several key saves.

What This Means for Group A

With this 2-0 victory, Morocco sits at the top of Group A.
It takes the pressure off immediately. In tournament football, winning your first game is statistically proven to drastically increase your chances of reaching the knockout stages.

Morocco has set the pace. Now, Mali and Zambia (the other group heavyweights) know they have to catch up.

The Boxing Day Clash

There is no time to rest. The tournament moves fast.

Next Match: Morocco vs Mali
Date: Friday, December 26, 2025 (St. Stephen’s Day / Boxing Day)

This is the big one. Mali is widely considered the toughest opponent in the group. They have a midfield packed with Premier League and Bundesliga talent.
However, with the momentum of the opening win and the crowd behind them, Morocco will go into this game as heavy favorites to make it 20 wins in a row.

For our Irish readers, what better way to spend St. Stephen’s Day than watching high-quality football? Grab the leftovers from Christmas dinner, tune in, and watch the Atlas Lions hunt.

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The Atmosphere: Football Fever in Morocco

We cannot finish this report without mentioning the scenes in the country.
As the Morocco team started winning : Africa Cup of Nations 2025, the streets of the Kingdom turned into a carnival.

In Casablanca, cars were honking late into the night.

In Rabat, fans gathered in the plazas to re-watch El Kaabi’s overhead kick on their phones.
The “Christmas AFCON” might have seemed strange on paper, but in reality, it has created a festive spirit that is doubling the joy of the holiday season.

Travel to the Heart of the Action

Are you watching on TV and wishing you were there?
The tournament is just getting started. The final is not until January 18, 2026. There is still time to book a last-minute trip to experience the knockout stages.

Imagine being in the stadium when El Kaabi scores a goal like that. The noise. The energy. It is unmissable.

At MoroccosGate, we can get you there.

• Accommodation: We know the best Riads in Rabat and Casablanca that still have availability.
• Transport: We can guide you on using the Al Boraq train to zip between host cities.
• Tickets: We can advise on the official resale platforms.

Don’t just watch history. Be part of it.

The Perfect Start

The first hurdle is cleared. The nerves are gone. The Morocco team started winning : Africa Cup of Nations 2025, and they did it with flair, drama, and dominance.

While there is a long way to go to the final on January 18, the signs are ominous for the rest of Africa. The Atlas Lions look hungry. They look fit. And most importantly, they look like a team that knows their destiny is to lift the trophy on home soil.

Stay tuned to MoroccosGate for match reports, travel tips, and fan guides throughout the tournament.

Dima Maghrib!

Get in Touch with MoroccosGate

Planning to fly over for the Mali game or the knockouts? Contact us today.

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