Ghana snatched all three points in the most dramatic fashion possible. In the 95th minute of stoppage time, Caleb Yirenkyi turned into the ultimate super-sub savior, coolly burying a sensational late strike to send the Ghanaian fans into absolute ecstasy.
2026 World Cup
1-0
Match Report:
Caleb Yirenkyi scored a 95th-minute winner as Ghana left it late to beat Panama 1-0 and kickstart their Group L campaign with a much-needed victory.
In a game that saw few clear-cut chances for either side, Yirenkyi tucked in Brandon Thomas-Asante's cross in the closing stages of second-half stoppage time to seal the win.
Panama almost made a lightning start at Toronto Stadium when Amir Murillo's cross into the area was met first time by Cecilio Waterman, but Lawrence Ati Zigi sprung into action and clawed the ball to safety in the second minute.
That was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes, with Jiovany Ramos lashing his effort over the crossbar before Elisha Owusu's attempt sailed into touch at the other end as Ghana failed to register a shot on target in the first half.
Jonas Adjetey's header in the 48th minute represented the first time they tested Orlando Mosquera, though it was Panama who came closest to getting in front, only for Cristian Martinez to ripple the side-netting from close range.
A last-ditch challenge from Ramos then stopped Jordan Ayew from tucking Thomas-Asante's cross home, with the Panama defender then curling a shot from the edge of the box narrowly past the left post moments later.
Panama looked the most likely to snatch all three points late on, but a lightning break ended with Antoine Semenyo slipping in Thomas-Asante, who delivered for Yirenkyi to tap home from inside the six-yard box to spark wild scenes among the Ghana supporters.
Full Time in Toronto. A winning start to our #FIFAWorldCup campaign!
— Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) June 18, 2026
Ghana - Panama
Caleb Yirenkyi 90+5’ #BlackStars pic.twitter.com/biuX4l9LXG
Yirenkyi steps up late for toothless Ghana
After England's 4-2 victory over Croatia in the other first round of Group L fixtures, both Ghana and Panama would have seen this as an opportunity to lay down a marker in their hopes of reaching the knockout stages, and it was the Black Stars who snatched it at the death.
Despite having the likes of Semenyo and Ayew in their ranks, Ghana attempted just one shot in the first 45 minutes, equalling the lowest tally by a team in the first half of a game in this year's World Cup, along with France against Senegal.
In fact, it was centre-back Adjetey that looked to be Ghana's biggest threat from set-pieces, having been the man to register his team's first effort on target before narrowly heading wide from a corner. His two were the joint-most for his team.
Ghana looked set to record their first ever goalless draw at the World Cup, but Thomas-Asante, fresh from helping Coventry City back to the Premier League, proved to be the game-changer off the bench after teeing up Yirenkyi late on.
Yirenkyi's goal in the 94th minute and four seconds is Ghana's latest ever goal scored at the World Cup, surpassing Asamoah Gyan's strike against the United States in June 2010 (92:38), while also denying Panama a first point at FIFA's flagship competition.
But despite those late celebrations, Ghana will know they need to improve in the final third. Carlos Queiroz's side registered an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.25 from their seven attempts to Panama's 0.75 from their 11 shots.
Line-ups
Ghana XI: Jordan Ayew, Lawrence Ati Zigi, Owusu, Gideon Mensah, Jerome Opoku, Antoine Semenyo, Marvin Senaya, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Jonas Adjei Adjetey, Ernest Nuamah, Caleb Yirenkyi
Subs: Baba, I.Williams, Derrick Luckassen, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Abdul Mumin, Kwasi Sibo, Anang, Alidu Seidu, Augustine Boakye, Abdul Fatawu, Benjamin Asare, Prince Adu, Kojo Peprah Oppong, Christopher Bonsu Baah
Panama XI: Cecilio Waterman, E. Bárcenas, Orlando Mosquera, Cristian Martínez, M. Murillo, José Rodriguez, Andrés Andrade, Jiovany Ramos, César Blackman, Carlos Harvey, José Córdoba
Subs: E. Davis, Luis Mejía, A. Quintero, A. Godoy, Roderick Miller, I. Díaz, F. Escobar, César Yanis, Adalberto Carrasquilla, Jorge Gutiérrez, José Fajardo, Tomás Rodríguez, César Samudio, Edgardo Fariña, Azarías Londoño