In a tightly contested Africa Cup of Nations Qualification match, Mali emerged victorious over Mozambique with a narrow 1-0 win, thanks to an early goal scored in the first half. The match's critical moment came when Mali's attack capitalized on a defensive lapse by Mozambique, with the goal being scored at a swift 18 minutes and 16 seconds into the game. This early strike set the tone, forcing Mozambique to chase the game and leaving them vulnerable to counter-attacks.

Despite the loss, Mozambique showed resilience with their higher corner kick count of seven compared to Mali's three, indicating a considerable degree of attacking play, largely from set pieces. However, their efforts in the final third were not enough to find the back of the net, underscoring perhaps a lack of precision and composure in key moments. The two offsides committed by the home team also hint at problems with timing in their attacking movements, which hindered their ability to effectively break through Mali's defense.

Discipline was a significant factor affecting the fluidity and rhythm of the game, as evidenced by the high number of fouls and yellow cards issued. Mozambique accumulated 15 fouls and received two yellow cards, whereas Mali committed 18 fouls and was penalized with four yellow cards. This disrupted the flow and lead to a fragmented style of play. Mali’s higher yellow card count illustrated their aggressive defensive strategy to protect their slim lead, while it also placed them under potential risk of a player suspension in future fixtures. Ultimately, Mali's tactical discipline and the solidity of their defense under pressure were crucial to their win, as they effectively nullified Mozambique's threat by maintaining their early lead and managing the game with strategic fouls to diffuse dangerous situations.

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