How Ghana defeated Panama 1–0 in World Cup opener

Ghana secured a dramatic 1–0 victory over Panama in their opening World Cup Group L match on Wednesday in Toronto, with a last-gasp goal deep into stoppage time sealing all three points for the Black Stars.

 

The decisive moment came in the fifth minute of added time, when Caleb Yirenkyi bundled the ball home to spark wild celebrations among thousands of Ghanaian supporters at the Toronto Stadium.

 

The match was largely tight and physical, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut chances in a cagey first half.

 

Panama came closest early on when striker Cecilio Waterma saw his second-minute effort saved by Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, who reacted sharply to push the attempt away.

 

Ghana, however, endured a frustrating first half, failing to register a single shot on target before the break as Panama maintained a disciplined defensive shape.

 

The second half, played under steady rain, saw improved attacking intent from both sides but still lacked finishing quality in the final third.

 

Panama nearly broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when Cristian Martinez unleashed a powerful strike that rippled into the side-netting, prompting loud celebrations from the Panamanian supporters among the nearly 43,000 fans in attendance.

 

As the match drifted toward a goalless draw, Ghana pushed forward in the closing stages, but clear chances remained limited until the decisive stoppage-time breakthrough.

 

Just when it appeared both teams would share the points, Yirenkyi reacted quickest inside the box to bundle in the winner in the dying moments, sending the Ghanaian section of the crowd into jubilation.

 

Head coach Carlos Queiroz, who only took charge of Ghana a few months before the tournament, turned toward the fans immediately after the goal, urging them to celebrate the crucial breakthrough.

 

The veteran coach, now one of the few managers to feature in five consecutive World Cup tournaments, has previously led Portugal, Iran and other national teams across multiple editions of the competition.

 

The result gives Ghana a vital opening win in Group L and sets the tone for what promises to be a tightly contested group stage campaign.