Caleb Yirenkyi emerged as Ghana’s unlikely hero as the Black Stars secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a six-game winless run in the process.
The 20-year-old midfielder struck deep into stoppage time at Toronto’s BMO Field to hand Ghana all three points in a tense Group L encounter that appeared destined to end in a goalless draw.
Playing without key figures Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus, Ghana struggled to find their rhythm for large parts of the contest. The Black Stars failed to register a shot on target in the first half as Panama defended resolutely and threatened on the counterattack.
Panama nearly took an early lead when Cecilio Waterman tested Lawrence Ati-Zigi within the opening minutes, but the Ghana goalkeeper produced a crucial save to keep the scores level.
The challenging weather conditions in Toronto added to the difficulty of the match, with heavy rain affecting the flow of play throughout the evening.
Ghana suffered a setback at halftime when Ati-Zigi was forced off following a collision, paving the way for Benjamin Asare to make his FIFA World Cup debut between the posts.
Seeking a breakthrough, head coach Carlos Queiroz made several attacking changes in the second half, introducing Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Brandon Thomas-Asante. The substitutions brought greater urgency to Ghana’s attack as the Black Stars pushed for a winner.
Their persistence was finally rewarded in the fifth minute of added time.
Thomas-Asante produced an excellent run down the left flank before delivering a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Yirenkyi timed his movement perfectly at the far post and managed to guide the ball into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the Ghana players and supporters.
The late strike was enough to separate the two sides and hand Ghana a priceless victory in their World Cup opener.
Beyond securing three points, the result brings an end to a difficult run of six matches without a win and provides a significant confidence boost ahead of Ghana’s crucial second group game against England.
The Black Stars now sit in a strong position as they continue their quest to reach the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time since 2010