Ghana beats Panama with 95th-minute strike in World Cup opener

A tense start in Toronto

Both teams entered the match knowing that a defeat would all but end hopes of advancing from a group containing England and Croatia. Panama began aggressively, forcing a sharp save from Ghana's Lawrence Ati Zigi in the second minute through Cecilio Waterman. Ghana, under the experienced Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, struggled to find rhythm but kept the game scoreless at halftime.

Missed chances keep the deadlock

The second half saw Panama's Carlos Harvey and Christian Martínez combine dangerously, but Martínez shot into the side-netting. Ghana's best chance before the break came when Jonas Adjetey headed just wide from a Jordan Ayew free‑kick. Brandon Thomas‑Asante later came close but was ruled offside after a one‑on‑one with goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.

Yirenkyi breaks the deadlock deep in added time

In the 95th minute, a swift counter‑attack down the left saw Thomas‑Asante break free and deliver a low cross that Yirenkyi tapped in at the far post. The goal, Yirenkyi's first of the tournament, sent the Ghanaian bench into celebration and left Panama still searching for a World Cup point.

Group L implications

Ghana's victory levels them on three points with England, who beat Croatia 4:2 earlier in the day. Panama, meanwhile, must now face Croatia and England to keep their hopes alive. Ghana overcame a poor pre‑tournament run of six defeats in seven matches and the absence of midfielder Thomas Partey, who missed the match due to visa issues.