Ghana secured a dramatic and hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening Group L match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scoring a stoppage-time winner in Toronto.
In a contest that appeared destined for a goalless draw, Yirenkyi struck in the 95th minute, handing the Black Stars a priceless three points and an early advantage in the race for a knockout stage spot. This result places Ghana level on points with England, who defeated Croatia 4-2 earlier in the day.
The match was played in challenging weather conditions, with heavy rain impacting the quality of play for much of the evening. Panama started more brightly, dominating possession in the opening stages and creating the first meaningful opportunities. Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was forced into a series of important saves to keep the score level.
Ghana struggled to find their rhythm in the first half and found it difficult to penetrate Panama’s disciplined defensive structure. Captain Jordan Ayew worked tirelessly upfront, while Antoine Semenyo and Ernest Nuamah attempted to provide attacking impetus from wide areas. However, clear-cut chances remained scarce.
The Black Stars faced a setback at halftime when goalkeeper Ati-Zigi was forced off due to injury. Benjamin Asare was introduced and would later play a crucial role in maintaining Ghana’s clean sheet. Panama continued to threaten after the break, with Cristian Martínez and Cecilio Waterman troubling the Ghanaian defense, but neither side could find a breakthrough.
As the match entered its closing stages, Ghana gradually began to assert control. Jordan Ayew came close to scoring, and Brandon Thomas-Asante added fresh energy after coming off the bench. Despite Ghana’s improved performance, a goalless draw seemed increasingly probable as the clock ticked into stoppage time.
Five minutes into added time, Thomas-Asante broke forward and delivered a dangerous ball into the penalty area. Yirenkyi timed his run perfectly and finished calmly to send the Ghana supporters into wild celebrations. The goal, scored in the 95th minute, proved to be the winning strike and one of the most dramatic moments of the tournament so far.
Panama nearly snatched an equalizer in the dying seconds, but substitute goalkeeper Benjamin Asare produced an excellent save to deny Ismael Díaz and preserve Ghana’s advantage.
The victory is particularly significant for Ghana, who were without Thomas Partey after he was unable to travel to Canada. Despite his absence, Carlos Queiroz’s side showed resilience, patience, and determination to secure all three points.
With England next on the schedule, Ghana will take immense confidence from this result. While the performance was not always fluent, the Black Stars demonstrated the fighting spirit that has defined many of their memorable World Cup campaigns.
For Panama, the defeat was heartbreaking after an impressive defensive display, leaving them with little margin for error in their remaining group matches.
