QATAR – Hakim Ziyech, a Moroccan winger, was not even traveling to Qatar until a few months ago, when he assisted in orchestrating a spectacular victory against second-ranked Belgium at the World Cup on Sunday.

He was kicked off the team by his former coach Vahid Halilhodzic because of his unwillingness to participate, but after the Bosnian was fired in August, Walid Regragui welcomed him back to the Atlas Lions’ fold along with other players.

Moroccans won their first World Cup match since defeating Scotland 3 to 0 in 1998 thanks to man of the match Ziyech, who against Belgium demonstrated what the team was lacking with a stellar performance.

 Regragui exclaimed with joy, “He is wonderful, the spirit he has, returning to the national team.

Ziyech appeared to give Morocco the lead shortly before halftime when he sent a free kick into the crowd and it bounced past Thibaut Courtois at the near post, but the VAR review saved the Devils.

Ziyech, who had the first attempt on goal for Morocco in the second half and was given wide reign to maneuver about the front third and trouble the Belgian defense, was allowed to do so.

With a 1 to 0 lead and plenty of energy left in the tank, he crossed the ball to Zakaria Aboukhlal in the final seconds, who tucked it away to seal the win as the stadium erupted.

When you give him love and confidence, he will die for you. He is a key player and a different player with the national team. “A lot of people talk about him, say he’s crazy and difficult to manage, that he can’t help the team.

The focus of Morocco’s right-side assaults was the former Ajax Amsterdam player, whose speed presented problems for the Belgian defense the entire time.

Credit for Regragui, the brains behind Morocco’s altered performances over the past two months, must be given along with any discussion of Ziyech’s talent.

Regragui made the game-winning adjustments against the Belgians, bringing in Aboukhlal for the second goal that ended the game. Wydad, a Moroccan club team, won the African Champions League title under Regragui’s leadership in May.

Abdelhamid Sabiri, a different substitute, was the one who fired the opening goal’s effort, which was deflected in by captain Romain Saiss.

In their first match, Morocco drew 0 to 0 with Croatia. Under Regragui, the team has gone five games without conceding a goal, a feat he would dearly like to continue throughout the Qatar tournament.