World Cup 2022: Hakim Ziyech scores insane goal from own half vs Georgia | OneFootball

Hakim Ziyech is back in Morocco’s squad for the 2022 World Cup.

The Chelsea star has returned from the hypothetical wilderness after missing the country’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign earlier in the year.

Ziyech is one of Morocco’s most talented players and having him back in the fold will significantly boost the country’s chances out in Qatar.

On Thursday, the Atlas Lions took part in a World Cup warm up match against Georgia and in the first half of proceedings, Ziyech well and truly stole the show.

With Morocco already 1-0 ahead thanks to a goal from Youssef En Nesyri, the former Ajax midfielder decided to try something very, very audacious.

Ziyech was presented with the ball inside his own half after a wayward pass from the opposition and instead of looking to build an attack from deep, he decided to take aim with his cultured left peg.

And the shot by Ziyech from an obscene distance out could not have been any more perfect.

Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who’s performed brilliantly at Valencia in 2022/23, was left completely stranded as the ball sailed over his head and into the back of the net.

It really was a FIFA Puskas Award contender from the mercurial Ziyech…

Stop that, Hakim!

Yes, we know it’s only a friendly match, but that goal still deserves to be in the running for the Puskas Award.

The technique on show is quite frankly absurd and if we see a better goal at the Qatar World Cup, it’ll be a huge, huge shock.

Who will Morocco play at the 2022 World Cup?

Morocco, who qualified for the 2018 World Cup and crashed out in the group stage, will take on Croatia, Belgium and Canada in the opening round of the Qatar tournament.

On paper, it’s a incredibly difficult group, one which Ziyech and his teammates will struggle to get out of.

Belgium are one of the favourites to win the whole thing, while Croatia – the 2018 finalistes – are still a quality outfit blessed with some world-class footballers.

And Canada are not exactly pushovers. They finished top of the CONCACAF qualifying group and in Alphonso Davies, Les Rouges have a bona fide superstar in their ranks.

Progression to the knockout stage for Morocco may hinge on Ziyech producing some more moments of magic across Qatar…

Quiz: Can you name all 30 of these ‘streets won’t forget’ players from World Cups?

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