Malawi score AFCON 'goal of tournament' before Morocco's Hakimi nets stunning free-kick

Malawi's Gabadinho Mhango seemed to have already scored the goal of the year until Morocco's Achraf Hakimi blasted home an inch perfect free-kick to send Morocco through

Gabadinho Mhango put in an early contender the 2022 Puskas award in the opening minutes of Malawi's clash with Morocco.

The 29-year-old found himself isolated on a counter-attack, 40-years from goal, and he opened up his body and let fly.

The ball swerved and dipped into the top corner leaving Morocco's keeper, Bono, stranded as Malawi threatened to pull off another shock at the Africa Cup of Nations.

But their hopes of moving onto the next round were extinguished thanks to a spectacular free-kick from Achraf Hakimi.

Hakimi found the net from 35-yards from the set-piece to put Morocco in the next round.

"Ain't half been some screamers this AFCON," one fan tweeted after Malawi's opener.

Another added: "My word, that is outstanding!"

"The ability of Mhango to pick out the top corner and even the vision to see the opportunity is next-level," a third tweeted.

"Malawi's Gabadinho Mhango with possibly one of the greatest strikes of all time. In the history of international tournaments. It's that good," a fourth added.

Which strike was better? Mhango's or Hakimi's? Let us know in the comments section

However, memories of Mhango's strike were quickly forgotten when Hakimi stood over the ball with the clash tied at 1-1.

The PSG man curled the ball into the top right corner to send Morocco into the next round.

The strike promoted his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe to claim: Achraf Hakimi, best RB in the world!"

"What a freekick by Hakimi. The bend, the placement into the top corner and the power behind the strike. You won't see many hit better," one fan tweeted.

The two strikes come just the day after Youssouf M’Changama wet 'full James Ward-Prowse' with a stunning free-kick for Comoros.

Comoros quickly became the neutral's favourite as the island national - who are ranked 132nd in the world - progressed to the knockout rounds.

On top of that, Comoros were forced to play with an outfield player between the sticks against hosts Cameroon.

Despite losing 2-1, M'Changama's knuckleball was the moment that fans raved on social media about.