Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Daniel Childs

What Hakim Ziyech did in fantastic Morocco World Cup moment to send Chelsea transfer message

Hakim Ziyech felt the cruel twist of VAR on Sunday afternoon when the Chelsea forward thought he had given Morocco the lead on the stroke of half-time. But Ziyech would find great redemption in the dying moments of the game, setting up Zakaria Aboukhlal's clincher to seal only their third win at a World Cup.

The Chelsea attacker curled in a left-footed cross that appeared to embarrass Thibaut Courtois and fluster the Belgium keeper to give Morocco their first goal at this year's tournament. However, a VAR check found Wolves defender Roman Saiss inches offside and interfering with play, which ended celebrations and chalked off a much-needed goal for Ziyech.

Lightning would ironically strike again in the second half as Morocco eventually took a shock lead from an Abdelhamid Sabiri curled free-kick from the opposite side, which again caught out a scrambling Courtois as the ball squirmed below him. Ziyech's clever work and assist for Aboukhlal in added time made it 2-0 to ignite the loud Moroccan crowd that filled the Al Thumama Stadium.

READ MORE: Defender suffers injury blow as January transfer question awaits Chelsea duo - Blues loan latest

Morocco's win shakes up Group F significantly heading into the final round of games which takes Walid Regragui's team top before Croatia and Canada face off in the other match on Sunday afternoon.

The 29-year-old's international situation is radically different from the one he faces at Stamford Bridge. Only making nine appearances for Chelsea so far this season, racking up only 270 competitive minutes under Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter before the international break at the beginning of this month.

Speculation continues over a potential exit for Ziyech in January with ongoing links to AC Milan who have reportedly been chasing the winger for several transfer windows.

Have your say on the Blues’ season so far by taking part in the Big Chelsea Forum!

READ NEXT:

Graham Potter can hand himself £133m Chelsea boost with important World Cup opportunity

What Chelsea wonderkid Cesare Casadei did amid Inter Milan chief transfer regret

Chelsea suffer Jude Bellingham transfer blow as £108m Christopher Nkunku alternative emerges

Thiago Silva issues brilliant response to Trevoh Chalobah new Chelsea contract announcement

Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.