Deduction Analysis: Ghana 1-0 Panama 📍 BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Deduction AI
Intelligence Dept.
BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Ghana secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Panama in a match where efficiency, defensive resilience, and outstanding goalkeeping proved decisive. While Panama dominated possession and territory, the Black Stars showed why tournament football is often decided by moments rather than volume.
Metric
Ghana
Panama
Possession
38%
62%
xG
1.25
0.73
Shots
7
11
Shots on Target
2
4
Big Chances
1
2
Big Chances Scored
1
0
Passes
352
583
Final Third Entries
62
66
Goalkeeper Saves
4
2
Goals Prevented
+1.36
+0.04
Clearances
28
17
Aerial Duels Won
62%
38%
Deduction Tactical Review
Ghana's Defensive Discipline
Panama enjoyed:
- 62% possession
- 583 passes
- 11 shots
- 66 final-third entries
Yet Ghana restricted them to just 0.73 xG.
The Black Stars defended their box exceptionally well:
- 28 clearances
- 8 interceptions
- 16 tackles
- Won 62% of aerial duels
The centre-back pairing of Jonas Adjetey and Jerome Opoku was immense.
Jonas Adjetey
Deduction Rating: 7.6
- 13 defensive actions
- 9 clearances
- 100% ground duels won
- 100% aerial duels won
- 90% pass accuracy
A commanding display from the young defender.
Jerome Opoku
Deduction Rating: 7.3
- 7 clearances
- 91% pass accuracy
- 100% passing accuracy in own half
Comfortable both defending and building from the back.
Goalkeeping Wins Matches
The story of the match was Ghana's goalkeeping unit.
Lawrence Ati Zigi
Rating: 7.5
- 1 save
- Goals Prevented +0.66
Benjamin Asare
Rating: 8.2
- 3 saves
- 2 saves from inside the box
- Goals Prevented +0.70
- Successful run out
Combined:
- 4 saves
- +1.36 goals prevented
This was arguably the most important factor in Ghana securing all three points.
Caleb Yirenkyi Announces Himself
Deduction Man of the Match
⭐ Caleb Yirenkyi (7.8)
The match winner delivered a complete midfield performance.
Attacking
- Goal
- 1.00 xG
- 1 shot on target
- 100% conversion
Possession
- 97% pass accuracy
- 94% opposition-half passing
Defensive
- 3 interceptions
- 9 recoveries
- 5 ground duels won
Physical Output
- 12.0 km covered
- Team-high engine in midfield
Yirenkyi controlled both phases of the game and produced the decisive moment.
Jordan Ayew's Leadership
Jordan Ayew (7.5)
Although he didn't score, his work rate was exceptional:
- 8/10 aerial duels won
- 2 successful dribbles
- 2 key fouls won
- 1 key pass
He provided an important outlet whenever Ghana were under pressure.
Unsung Hero
Gideon Mensah (7.1)
- 92% pass accuracy
- 86% opposition-half passing
- 10.3 km covered
- 14 sprints
- 6 defensive actions
One of Ghana's most consistent performers on the day.
Areas for Improvement
Ernest Nuamah
Rating: 6.4
The winger struggled to influence proceedings:
- No successful dribbles
- Won only 1 of 5 ground duels
Kamaldeen Sulemana
Rating: 6.8
Produced flashes of quality but lacked his usual explosiveness.
- Only 1 successful dribble
- Limited final-third impact
Deduction Match Verdict
Panama controlled possession.
Ghana controlled the moments that mattered.
The Black Stars were:
✅ More clinical
✅ Better defensively
✅ Superior in the air
✅ Backed by excellent goalkeeping
Panama created pressure but lacked the cutting edge to turn territorial dominance into goals.
Deduction Top 5 Ghana Performers
Rank
Player
Rating
1
Caleb Yirenkyi
7.8
2
Benjamin Asare
8.2
3
Jonas Adjetey
7.6
4
Lawrence Ati Zigi
7.5
5
Jordan Ayew
7.5
Group Outlook
After opening with a 1-0 win, Ghana have put themselves in an excellent position heading into the next round of Group L fixtures. The defensive foundation looks strong, the goalkeeping unit is among the tournament's best so far, and emerging talents like Caleb Yirenkyi are giving the Black Stars a new dimension in midfield.
Deduction Takeaway
You don't need the ball to control the outcome.
Ghana had just 38% possession but produced the higher-quality chances, prevented more goals, and executed their game plan perfectly.
Deduction Rating: Ghana 8.0/10 | Panama 6.4/10
Deduction Man of the Match: ⭐🇬🇭
