Caleb Yirenkyi scored a dramatic late goal to give Ghana a vital 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup. The win puts Ghana level with England at the top of Group L.
Match Highlights
Yirenkyi steered in Brandon Thomas-Asante’s cross deep into stoppage time to settle a match that produced few clear-cut chances. The game was played in rainy conditions in Toronto, with both sides struggling to create meaningful opportunities.
Panama started brightly, with Cecilio Waterman forcing a good save from Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the second minute after meeting a cross from the right. However, that proved to be a rare opening in a cautious first half.
Panama continued to have the better of the early exchanges. Cristian Martínez had a penalty appeal waved away as he attempted to latch onto a ball over the top, and Jiovany Ramos fired high and wide after Ati-Zigi had acrobatically punched the ball into his path.
Second Half Improvements
Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo moved into a more central role as the half progressed, finally making an impact just before the break with a through ball that led to Ghana’s first effort on goal – Marvin Senaya’s shot went well wide.
Ati-Zigi, who received treatment after a collision late in the first half, was replaced at half-time by Benjamin Asare. Ghana then carved out their first meaningful attempt, with Jonas Adjetey heading straight at Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.
Martínez was unable to steer the ball inside the post at the other end, but Ghana looked much brighter after the interval. Only a last-ditch touch from Ramos prevented Jordan Ayew, who is set to leave Leicester City this summer, from sliding home.
Ramos curled wide from the edge of the box moments later as the game opened up. An offside flag and a save from Mosquera denied Thomas-Asante a late winner before he was released again to deliver the cross for Yirenkyi’s decisive goal.
Coaches’ Reactions
Ghana’s coach, Carlos Queiroz, expressed confidence in his team’s potential. “With the football we played today we can count on Ghana to do something,” he said. He complained about Panama’s rough handling of Ghana players and said his team were “naive and not aggressive in the first half.”
Queiroz also revealed uncertainty over Ati-Zigi’s availability for the match against England in Boston on Tuesday.
Panama’s head coach, Thomas Christiansen, described the defeat as “painful” and said: “We deserved better. We have lessons to learn. At the World Cup, mistakes are expensive. Now is not the time for regrets. We will not be timid against Croatia. We want to show that Panama is difficult to beat and we will fight until the last breath.”
