Ghana kicked off their FIFA World Cup campaign with a dramatic 1-0 win over Panama in Group L on Wednesday in Toronto.
Caleb Yirenkyi emerged as the hero for the Black Stars, scoring deep into stoppage time to secure all three points in a hard-fought contest at Toronto Stadium.
Cagey First Half
The match started brightly for Panama, who nearly took the lead in the second minute. Striker Cecilio Waterman tested Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, but the shot was well saved.
Despite enjoying spells of possession, neither side created many clear-cut chances during the opening half. Ghana struggled to threaten in attack and failed to register a shot on target before the break.
Rain-Soaked Second Half
Steady rain fell throughout the second half as both teams searched for a breakthrough.
Panama came close in the 60th minute when Cristian Martinez fired a powerful effort into the side-netting, drawing loud cheers from the sizeable Panamanian support inside the stadium.
As the game entered its final moments, it appeared destined to end in a goalless draw.
Yirenkyi Delivers Late Winner
However, Ghana found the decisive moment in the fifth minute of added time. Caleb Yirenkyi bundled the ball home from close range to spark wild celebrations among the thousands of Ghanaian fans in attendance.
The late strike sealed a valuable victory for the Black Stars and gave them a perfect start to their World Cup journey.
Following the goal, head coach Carlos Queiroz turned to the supporters and encouraged them to celebrate the dramatic winner.
Queiroz Makes World Cup History
The match marked another milestone for Queiroz, who only took charge of Ghana a few months before the tournament.
The experienced coach became just the second manager to appear at five consecutive FIFA World Cups. He previously guided Portugal at the 2010 tournament and Iran in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Ghana Overcome Key Absence
Ghana secured the victory despite the absence of midfielder Thomas Partey. The Villarreal player was unavailable after Canadian authorities denied him a visa because of ongoing legal proceedings in Britain.
The Black Stars will now look to build on their winning start as they continue their Group L campaign.
