Hakim Ziyech scored a stunning long-range effort as Morocco defeated Georgia in a World Cup warm-up game.

The Chelsea wideman, who recently returned to the national side after initially calling time on his international career, scored the second in Morocco’s 3-0 win in Sharjah.

Ziyech’s goal came just before the half-hour mark and stunned fans inside the stadium such was the quality of the strike. He picked the ball up inside his half, before looking up and spotting the goalkeeper off his line and finding the back of the net.


Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri had earlier given Morocco the lead before Ziyech’s screamer doubled the scoreline. Sofiane Boufal then added a third from the penalty spot.

Morocco are paired in Group F with Belgium, Canada and Croatia and kick-off their World Cup campaign on Friday against the Red Devils.

Elsewhere, in a match held in Abu Dhabi, two on-loan players went head-to-head when Switzerland took on Ghana.

Denis Zakaria, who has been loaned to Chelsea from Juventus, played the whole game, as did Baba Rahman who is at Reading this season.

It was Baba and Ghana who came out on top, winning 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu and Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo.

Their captain Andre Ayew won a record-breaking 110th Ghanaian cap, while his brother Jordan had a chance set up by a good pass from Baba in the first half but failed to take advantage. Former Chelsea player Tariq Lamptey also featured in the starting line-up.

Switzerland start their World Cup in a week’s time with a game against Cameroon, while Ghana play Portugal on the same day.

Later on Thursday evening, Cesar Azpilicueta came off the bench to help Spain to a friendly victory over Jordan.

The Chelsea captain entered the field in Jordan in the second half and helped La Roja secure a 3-1 victory, which came courtesy of goals from Ansu Fati, Gavi and Nico Williams.

Spain open their World Cup campaign against Costa Rica on Wednesday.