Analysis The numbers behind the result
Smouha edge tightly contested game with superior shot quality
Smouha SC's 1-0 victory was a fair reflection of the balance of play, as their superior shot quality (0.91 xG vs Ghazl El Mehalla's 0.39) and greater threat in the box (9 shots inside vs 6) justified the narrow margin. Despite Ghazl's slight possession edge (52% to 48%), they struggled to translate it into clear chances, managing just 1 shot on target compared to Smouha's 3.
The decisive moment came in the 34th minute when Pape Badji converted Khaled El Ghandour's assist, showcasing Smouha's more incisive attacking play. Ghazl's substitutions in the second half failed to spark a revival, with their lone shot on target highlighting their bluntness in the final third. The key stat: Ghazl's 0.39 xG, their lowest in 5 games, explains their inability to trouble Smouha's defence meaningfully.