Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo scores first international goal in World Cup warm-up

Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo got off the mark for Ghana as he scored in their 2-0 win over Switzerland. The Black Stars played Qatar-bound Switzerland in a friendly in Abu Dhabi, as both teams prepare for the World Cup.

Several teams have decided to play behind-closed-doors matches ahead of the tournament beginning. The nature of a winter World Cup has meant that players have immediately joined up with their countries and have not been afforded the chance to play warm-up fixtures.

Despite the small time frame from players linking up for international duty and the tournament, which begins on Sunday, November 20, Semenyo's Ghana were one of the teams that opted to play against another team that are due to play in the World Cup.

Ghana beat a Switzerland team that included Arsenal midfielder Grani Xhaka, Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar as well as Xherdan Shaqiri, who was previously at Liverpool and Stoke City.

Semenyo was a substitute but replaced former Swansea City striker Andrew Ayew just after the hour mark. As Switzerland tried to defend, the ball bobbled up kindly for Semenyo to hit a left-footed volley past an unguarded net. It was Semenyo’s first goal on the international stage and Ghana’s second after Mohammed Salisu opened his account.

Semenyo has appeared four times for Ghana, playing in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar, as well as friendlies against Brazil, Nicaragua and now Switzerland.

Semenyo and Ghana begin their campaign against Portugal on Thursday, November 24, before later playing South Korea on Monday, November 28. Their group campaign concludes against Uruguay on Friday, December 2.