00:00And under the rain, in Rabat, we are underway to begin the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations
00:12Morocco 2025. Hashtag Total Energies Afcon 2025. Again looking dangerous, the runner was on.
00:25Diaz wanted the return ball, Rahimi, little nutmeg through the leg, breaks into the 18-yard
00:29area. Picked up by Diaz, Brian Diaz, seeking a way through and then seeking a way past and that's a penalty.
00:50Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo
00:51with a very confident call, a big...
01:00And in 2018, Pomoros secured a two-all draw against Morocco.
01:05But this for Morocco to take the lead. Rahimi strikes but it's saved. Pandor gets his body behind the ball
01:15to deny Morocco the early strike. Rahimi needs to get his head back in the game for a moment,
01:22looked to berate himself and suddenly...
01:30Well, the early attacks favoring Morocco, they've certainly dominated and maybe had a chance here.
01:34And now with a little poke through to Masraoui, looking to control on the far side. Rahimi takes
01:38it wide. Doesn't try the shot from an acute angle, instead steers it out. Decent delivery and again,
01:44it's not too far away. This time it's Savani making a run-in but can't find the header to finish.
01:51Close quarter action of Pomoros' defence. Lose possession under...
01:56Through to Bura, over the top. I dare say offside, but very athletic to look to keep that in play.
02:04Bono gets a touch on it and eventually rescued by Morocco's defence. But ultimately the offside flag is
02:13right again. Look to tee it up from range. Not the worst idea considering how wet it is. Chance here
02:21and it's just floated in front of the onrushing player, Illinois. Delivery in again, steered away.
02:32Rahimi looking to get himself in a good area. Straight into the wall from Unai. Benjaloud
02:40with a little frustration showing. Morocco take quickly. Delivery, it's attempting to be
02:48put beyond the keeper from Savani.
02:50That ball across the face of goal. And out for the goal kick. Out towards Salah Eddin.
03:09Decent looking delivery. Players lining up.
03:12But one of the last 15 host nations has advanced from the group stages.
03:21Bono will pick up again. Diaz rolls it again.
03:33Well he might like to have that one again. A little space opening up in the centre.
03:38Devin Surrey will run on to this delightful pass. Beautifully weighted. Chance for a cross is decent.
03:43The delivery just a little in behind the three attacking players.
03:48They're controlling the game. As Comoros frustrates the hosts. Here's the chance.
03:55Nothing wrong. This is the referee. Pandor smudders the ball.
04:13The ball. It hit his arm in the build up to it. So I...
04:15I wonder if we are.
04:25Now the contact is clear. But I suspect the ball might have come off the arm.
04:33Free kick Comoros. The decision. And the correct one. Toivivu. Now wide.
04:39Finding Zaidou. Benjaloud getting involved. Toivivu again.
04:44Oh a scramble here. It's untidy. And Pandor rescues the situation.
04:50So Barney.
04:55Worked in. That'll be the end of an opening half that is yielded no goals.
05:00Oros in white with green trim. Morocco in the red and green.
05:11Could be on the cards. Again the outlets. So many of them available to Morocco.
05:16Saladin. Oh in behind the defence. That was there to be had. Illinois somehow misses the target.
05:24Glorious delivery from Saladin. In behind the defence. And making the near-perfect run.
05:36Nilyoni Illinois.
05:37Is link-up play. Amrabat. You know a little pocket. Delivers toward the back post.
05:47Pandor scrambling. The flag is raised for offside. And that's the opening five minutes of the second half done.
05:53Amrabat again. Chipped towards the far side. Musrahi.
06:01Controls beautifully. Square ball. And there it is.
06:04Not to be denied. The top scorer in qualifying scores. The opening goal of the Total Energies
06:13Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Brahim Diaz steps up. And is counted on home soil.
06:27Ten minutes into the second half. Deadlock broken. And Brahim Diaz has the all-important goal.
06:33Seven goals in just four qualifying matches. He's got one in his first. Here to start the tournament.
06:51Now the game.
06:55Rafiki Saeed comes away with it. Nothing wrong. Referee is waiting. Rafiki Saeed.
07:00Closed down quickly. Saeed denied by Yassid Bono. His first real involvement in the game. And it's too denied.
07:09Rafiki Saeed. What would have been a sensational equalizer.
07:11And he's set the continent delighted. From the set piece.
07:21From the set piece. Toward the back post. Might land in space. Could still be steered home here.
07:25Morocco. Everybody's scrambling and eventually knocked to safety.
07:34Into space. Create space.
07:43Create space. Wonderfully, wonderfully saved from Pandora. A double save from the 24-year-old.
07:50Morocco agonizingly close to claiming a cushion goal. Rahimi with a touch inside the area.
07:58There. Claims it back. But for the second time.
08:03Toi Weibo.
08:11Long range.
08:16Long range.
08:20Changawa.
08:23Surprised a few. More than one.
08:30Azul.
08:31Chips that ball back in dangerously.
08:35Not cleared. Brian Diaz drills the ball in. But good positioning from Pandora sees in deny.
08:40straight down the center now numbers there for morocco to take advantage
08:52oh that is sensational that is glorious
08:58the rain is falling down
09:04but he would not be denied the most spectacular finish ayur belgabi
09:14in calf competitions continues to impress
09:21morocco opened the scoring through brahim diaz calm composed wonderful but the flashy flamboyance of
09:29ayur belgabi has stepped up and despite the driving rain el cabi delivers a stunner
09:41his positioning always on point his finishing exquisite but the reliable scorer who knows where
09:50the net is has just delivered a collector's item of a gun
09:58ezelzuli laid him back and then absolutely drilled with venom again but brilliantly
10:03denied by pandor and they said he looking for something special
10:08and that'll roll out out for the goal kick and they have over 500 of them in the game
10:27but it's not gone all their own way chance to finish it here and the men's under 20 team won the world
10:33cup in chile very recently chance for comoros in behind the defensive line silemani with a lovely delivery
10:42despite a lunge and a leap beyond unable to direct that goal bound
10:46maybe one final throw in to come referee says that's where he will end it
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