Yirenkyi's 95th-minute strike gives Ghana a nervy 1-0 win over Panama in World Cup opener
Caleb Yirenkyi scored deep into stoppage time as Ghana began their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama at a rain-soaked BMO Field.
Match summary
Ghana left it desperately late to overcome Panama in their Group L opener in Toronto. For 94 minutes the match drifted through a downpour, with Panama controlling the early exchanges and Ghana struggling to create clear chances. Then, in the fifth minute of added time, Brandon Thomas-Asante delivered a low cross from the right and Yirenkyi, unmarked at the far post, steered the ball past Orlando Mosquera to spark wild celebrations among the 42,942 spectators.
In the end we were rewarded.
Partey's absence
Ghana took the field without midfielder Thomas Partey after Canadian authorities denied him entry. The 33-year-old Villarreal player faces rape and coercion charges in England, and a last-ditch appeal to the Federal Court was rejected the day before the match. His absence was felt in a first half where Ghana lacked midfield control and attacking ideas.
Panama's early pressure
Panama, coached by Thomas Christiansen, started brightly. In the second minute, Amir Murillo crossed from the right and Cecilio Waterman forced a sharp save from Lawrence Ati Zigi with a volley. Cristian Martínez later had a penalty appeal waved away, and Jiovany Ramos fired over after Ati Zigi punched clear. Ghana's only first-half attempt came just before the break when Marvin Senaya dragged a shot wide.
- Waterman volley forces save from Ati Zigi (2')
- Senaya drags Ghana's first shot wide just before half-time
- Adjetey heads straight at Mosquera (48')
- Martínez clips outside of post for Panama (60')
- Ramos clears off the line from Ayew (65')
- Adjetey heads narrowly wide from Ayew free-kick (73')
- Thomas-Asante goal disallowed for offside (89')
- Yirenkyi scores winner from Thomas-Asante cross (90+5')
Ghana's second-half improvement
Ati Zigi, who received treatment late in the first half, was replaced at the interval by Benjamin Asare. Ghana emerged with more urgency. Jonas Adjetey headed straight at Mosquera in the 48th minute, and Martínez clipped the outside of the post at the other end. Jordan Ayew was denied by a last-ditch Ramos intervention in the 65th minute, and Adjetey headed narrowly wide from an Ayew free-kick eight minutes later.
Late drama and group outlook
Thomas-Asante thought he had won it in the 89th minute but was flagged offside. Moments later, he made the decisive run and picked out Yirenkyi for the winner. The result puts Ghana level with England at the top of Group L after England beat Croatia 4-2 in Arlington. Ghana next face England in Boston on Tuesday, while Panama meet Croatia in Philadelphia.
I wanted to call you myself before this match and tell you that we are all praying for you and believe you can do it. All of Africa is looking up to the Black Stars. We expect you to live up to that role.
