Yirenkyi Strikes in Stoppage Time as Ghana Edge Panama 1-0
A 95th-minute winner from Caleb Yirenkyi broke Panama hearts and gave Ghana a precious opening victory in Group L.
Ghana left it desperately late but got their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign up and running with a dramatic 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto.
A buzzer-beater in Toronto
With the match drifting towards a goalless draw, Caleb Yirenkyi finished off a sweeping counterattack with a tap-in deep into second-half stoppage time. The Ghanaian bench erupted as the Black Stars snatched all three points.
A chaotic Group L clash
The match was a fiercely contested, end-to-end affair with chances at both ends. Panama will feel they did enough to earn a point, but Ghana's late surge proved decisive.
What's next
The victory hands Ghana an early advantage in a tight Group L. Carlos Queiroz's side showed resilience and the kind of never-say-die spirit that can carry a team through a long tournament.
For Panama, the disappointment is acute, but there is still plenty to play for as the group stage continues.
