DR Congo controlled possession and created the greater attacking threat as they produced a dominant statistical performance against Equatorial Guinea in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
The Democratic Republic of Congo had 58% possession during the contest, compared with 42% for Equatorial Guinea, and finished with 16 attempts to their opponents’ five.
DR Congo also recorded five shots on target, while Equatorial Guinea managed only two, highlighting the difference in attacking output between the two sides.
The pressure from DR Congo was particularly evident inside the penalty area. They registered 31 touches in the opposition box, while Equatorial Guinea managed just five.
The Congolese side also came close to scoring on two occasions when they struck the woodwork. Equatorial Guinea did not hit the frame of the goal during the match.
DR Congo’s control was also reflected in their passing statistics. They completed 540 passes with an accuracy of 91.7%, compared with 393 passes and 86.3% accuracy for Equatorial Guinea.
The difference became even more pronounced in the final third. DR Congo completed 113 successful passes in that area, while Equatorial Guinea recorded 41.
DR Congo also delivered 20 crosses during the match, four times the number produced by Equatorial Guinea, who attempted five.
Equatorial Guinea did, however, record higher numbers in several defensive categories. They made 24 tackles compared with 11 by DR Congo and produced 15 clearances, while the Congolese side made nine.
DR Congo were more effective when making their tackles, winning 72.7% of them compared with Equatorial Guinea’s 54.2%.
The visitors also committed fewer fouls. Equatorial Guinea were penalised 12 times, while DR Congo committed 17 fouls.
Both teams were caught offside three times, while DR Congo won five aerial duels compared with two for Equatorial Guinea.
The disciplinary figures were also in DR Congo’s favour, with the Congolese side receiving one yellow card and Equatorial Guinea collecting two.
Equatorial Guinea’s goalkeeper was called upon to make three saves, one more than the DR Congo goalkeeper. That came despite Equatorial Guinea producing only two shots on target.
DR Congo recorded seven shots off target, compared with three from Equatorial Guinea. They also attempted four shots from outside the box, while the visitors made three such attempts.
The passing figures further illustrated DR Congo’s control. They completed 149 forward passes and 84 backward passes, while Equatorial Guinea recorded 133 forward passes and 54 backward passes.
Equatorial Guinea attempted slightly more long balls, with 46 compared with DR Congo’s 43.
Although Equatorial Guinea worked harder defensively in terms of tackles and clearances, DR Congo maintained the greater attacking presence throughout the match.
The statistics showed a significant difference between the teams in possession, shooting, final-third passing and touches in the opposition box, with DR Congo consistently producing more attacking actions.
Equatorial Guinea’s defensive numbers reflected their efforts to contain the pressure, but DR Congo’s greater volume of possession and attacking opportunities gave them the statistical advantage in the contest.
