Ghana stun Panama 1-0 with dramatic stoppage-time winner

TORONTO: Ghana opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in unforgettable fashion on Wednesday, edging Panama 1-0 thanks to a last-gasp winner from Caleb Yirenkyi in the fifth minute of stoppage time at Toronto Stadium.

In a tightly contested Group L encounter played under steady rain, both sides struggled to find rhythm for long periods, with clear chances at a premium in a tense, physical battle.

Panama made the brighter start, nearly striking inside two minutes when Cecilio Waterman forced a sharp save from Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi. After that early scare, the match settled into a scrappy midfield duel with neither team able to assert dominance.

Ghana endured a frustrating first half, failing to register a single shot on target as Panama’s disciplined defensive structure limited the Black Stars’ attacking threat.

The second half, however, brought more urgency despite worsening weather conditions. Rain poured down over the Toronto Stadium as both teams pushed forward in search of a breakthrough. Cristian Martínez came closest for Panama in the 60th minute, unleashing a powerful effort that rippled the side-netting and briefly lifted the noisy Panamanian supporters.

As the clock ticked down, a draw seemed inevitable in what had become a grinding tactical contest. But football’s unpredictability delivered one final twist.

Deep into stoppage time, Ghana finally found space in the Panama defense. Yirenkyi reacted quickest inside the box, calmly finishing past the goalkeeper to send the Black Stars’ fans into wild celebration across the 43,000-strong crowd.

The Ghana bench erupted, with veteran coach Carlos Queiroz celebrating passionately on the touchline. The experienced Portuguese manager, who recently took charge of the Black Stars, is now among a rare group of coaches to feature in five consecutive World Cups.

Despite missing key midfielder Thomas Partey, Ghana showed resilience and patience throughout a difficult match, refusing to lose focus even when chances were scarce.

Panama, meanwhile, will be left to rue their missed opportunities after a disciplined performance that ultimately collapsed in the final moments.

For Ghana, the dramatic win provides a perfect start to their World Cup journey and a major boost of confidence heading into their next Group L fixture.