Hakim Ziyech scores from halfway line as Morocco beat Georgia in World Cup warm-up match

Ahead of competing in a group which includes Belgium, Croatia and Canada, Walid Regragui would have been eager to see his side produce an encouraging performance.

Having fielded a largely full-strength side, that is exactly what Regragui witnessed as the African nation made light work of opponents who have been on an upward trajectory for more than a year.

Youssef En-Nesyri, Hakim Ziyech and Sofiane Boufal all got on the scoresheet to extend Morocco's unbeaten streak to four matches.

The Atlas Lions went ahead as early as the fifth minute as En-Nesryi converted from close range after Selim Amallah had somehow failed to score from a matter of yards after meeting an inswinging cross.

The second from Ziyech was one of the goals of the current season. After intercepting a pass, the Chelsea playmaker saw goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili off his line and proceeded to lob the Valencia stopper from inside of his own half.

The ball found the corner with remarkably accuracy, and although Regragui may have been less concerned about the end result, it gave the Morocco boss the freedom to make changes at the break.

Three were made at half time, including the withdrawals of Achraf Hakimi and En-Nesyri, but it did not stop Morocco from netting a third through Boufal from the penalty spot with 18 minutes remaining.

Heading into this fixture, Georgia had been on an 11-match unbeaten streak, going over 13 months since last losing to Greece in October 2021.