Ghana beats Panama with 95th-minute strike in World Cup opener
Caleb Yirenkyi's 95th-minute goal gave Ghana a 1:0 victory over Panama in their opening Group L match of the 2026 World Cup at BMO Field in Toronto, lifting the Black Stars level with England on points.
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.
- Panama's Cecilio Waterman forces a save from Ghana keeper Lawrence Ati Zigi.
- Kamaldeen Sulemana caught offside, ending a Ghana attack.
- First half ends goalless.
- Carlos Harvey's shot deflects to Christian Martínez, who fires into side-netting.
- Jonas Adjetey heads narrowly wide from a Jordan Ayew free-kick.
- Brandon Thomas-Asante flagged offside after a one-on-one.
- Yirenkyi scores the winner after Thomas-Asante's counter-attacking cross.
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.
