Andrey Santos, who we signed in January and is back at Vasco da Gama on loan, started in a Brazilian midfield three alongside Casemiro of Manchester United and West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta.

Ziyech meanwhile lined up in his customary right-wing position for the Atlas Lions, who sensationally reached the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar.

They further underlined their credentials by beating Brazil in Tangier, with former Southampton winger Sofiane Boufal putting them ahead on the half-hour.

Ziyech had a couple of good chances to double the Moroccans’ lead before Casemiro equalised midway through the second half, shortly after Santos had been replaced by Raphael Veiga, the Palmeiras attacking midfielder who scored against us in the Club World Cup final.

Santos, who is just 18, had enjoyed a steady debut for the Selecao prior to his withdrawal, and came close to scoring in the first half.

In a combative and at times ill-tempered friendly, it was Morocco was sealed the victory through Abdelhamid Sabiri of Sampdoria, who crashed a shot into the net via the underside of the crossbar.

It meant Morocco tasted victory against Brazil for the first time ever in their third meeting, and first since the 1998 World Cup, with 65,000 home supporters celebrating their World Cup heroes’ return to action. Ziyech completed the 90 minutes for Morocco, who play Peru in Madrid on Tuesday.

Brazil, under the interim management of Ramon Menezes following Tite’s departure after the World Cup, are not in action again in this international break.