Benin vs Senegal — Africa Cup of Nations

**Benin 0-3 Senegal**

**What set this match apart:** This was a very typical match: only small details set it apart (92% of matches were more unusual than this one). The most striking difference was found in the air, where Senegal won 18 aerial duels to Benin's 9, a +9 gap at the 94th percentile of gaps. On the ground, few successful dribbles were recorded in the match (11 in total, 23rd percentile of joint volume), but Senegal was clearly ahead with 8 to Benin's 3, a +5 gap at the 87th percentile of gaps.

**How it played out:** Senegal maintained a stronger presence in the final third, recording 157 passes in the opponent's half compared to Benin's 90, a +67 gap at the 76th percentile of gaps. While few passes in the opponent's half occurred in the match overall (247 in total, 30th percentile of joint volume), Senegal was clearly ahead. This territorial control was supported by a patient build-up from the back, as both teams completed a high volume of passes in their own half (432 in total, 80th percentile of joint volume). Senegal also had a clearer edge in wide areas; few accurate crosses were in the match, but Senegal was clearly ahead with 4 to Benin's 1, a +3 gap at the 83rd percentile of gaps. Defensively, both sides were under pressure, evidenced by a high volume of clearances (43 in total, 86th percentile of joint volume) and a high volume of interceptions (22 in total, 80th percentile of joint volume), with Benin making 12 to Senegal's 10, a +2 gap at the 71st percentile of gaps. Despite the physical nature of the game, direct play was limited, with few accurate long balls from either team (40 in total, 21st percentile of joint volume).

**Verdict:** The fair probabilities are Benin win 20%, draw 33%, and Senegal win 47%. The performances pointed to a Senegal win (47%), and that is what happened, with Senegal creating 4 big chances to Benin's 1.