Ziyech played a key role as Morocco recorded a famous victory over Belgium yesterday to leave them on four points in Group F and safe in the knowledge that a win against Canada in their final group match will see them progress to the knockout stage.

For Ziyech, it marks quite the turnaround for the Dutch-born Moroccan who only returned to the fold shortly before the tournament after coming out of international retirement.

‘How we grew up, we always maintained that Moroccan culture,’ Ziyech said of his background.

‘To play for the country and reach the World Cup, it really made my parents and my family proud.

‘Every kid around the world dreams of playing in the World Cup. You grow up watching these amazing games and looking at the best players around the world playing in this competition, so to be here is a fantastic feeling.

‘We’ve achieved so much to be here but we still want to push on. We take things game by game but of course, you have to think big if you want to achieve something.

‘We know that we are the underdog in most games but people shouldn’t underestimate us because we have a strong squad and we’ve shown that.’