2026 WCQ: Set pieces, tactical brilliance lead Ghana in domination of Madagascar

Hopeful of challenging for Group I supremacy in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Madagascar were harshly brought back to Earth on Monday by an efficient and effortless display from Ghana in a 3-0 victory over Barea in Al Hoceima, Morocco.

Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew produced a masterpiece, assisting all three goals including two set piece services for Thomas Partey headed goals. It took only a little over ten minutes before Ghana snatched the lead when Ayew's free kick found Partey for a powerful header past a helpless Geordan Dupire in the Malagasy goal.

The first half featured tactical brilliance from Ghana coach Otto Addo, whose team focused on congesting the center of the pitch after the opening goal. Madagascar, lacking pace and attacking full backs on the wings, struggled to find space and stretch the Ghanaian defense.

After taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, Ghana pounced twice in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half. An Ayew corner kick was delivered perfectly in the 54th minute, providing all the pace for Partey to guide his well placed header past Dupire.

Five minutes later, it was a lost cause for Madagascar who endured a humbling result on the day. Ayew had too much space to dribble at the heart of the Malagasy defense and his pass had the perfect weight on it to find Mohammed Kudus for a routine finish.

Any hope of a result was gone for Madagascar by this point. With Mali failing to defeat Central African Republic earlier in the day, Ghana seized full control of Group I with the result. The Black Stars lead Madagascar by five points and will likely have a three-point lead by the end of the FIFA window with Comoros set to face minnows Chad on Tuesday.

The results continue to be encouraging for a Ghana side who was in great need of satisfactory results to restore faith from their supporters.

Group I Table

• The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.