Ghana secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Mali in their FIFA World Cup qualification clash, grinding out a result from limited clear-cut opportunities in Group I. The hosts controlled proceedings with a 3–4–3 formation and generated 0.52 expected goals, enough to edge past Mali's defensive setup, though Ghana's goalkeeper faced minimal threat with 0.0 xG conceded. Mali, deployed in a 4–2–3–1 shape, offered little attacking impetus and were unable to test Ghana's rearguard meaningfully. The absence of named goalscorers in the data reflects the match's low-intensity nature, but Ghana's solitary strike proved decisive. This victory strengthens Ghana's qualification prospects in a competitive African group.