Caleb Yirenkyi scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Ghana’s Black Stars opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama, ending a six-match winless run.
The 20-year-old midfielder emerged as the hero at Toronto’s BMO Field, finding the back of the net in the fifth minute of added time to seal all three points in a tightly contested Group L encounter.
Ghana entered the match without two of their key players, Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus, and struggled to impose themselves for much of the game. The Black Stars failed to register a shot on target in the first half as Panama remained organised in defence while posing a threat on the counterattack.
Panama nearly broke the deadlock in the opening minutes when Cecilio Waterman forced an excellent save from Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who kept the Black Stars in the game with a crucial early stop.
Heavy rainfall throughout the match made conditions difficult for both sides, disrupting the tempo and limiting clear scoring opportunities.
Ghana suffered another setback at the start of the second half when Ati-Zigi was forced off after a collision, handing Benjamin Asare his FIFA World Cup debut in goal.
In search of a breakthrough, head coach Carlos Queiroz introduced Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Brandon Thomas-Asante, with the substitutions injecting fresh energy into Ghana’s attack.
The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time when Thomas-Asante surged down the left wing before delivering a dangerous cross into the penalty area. Yirenkyi timed his run perfectly and steered the ball home at the far post, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Ghanaian players and supporters.
The victory gives the Black Stars a perfect start to their World Cup campaign and ends a difficult run of six matches without a win.
The result also provides a major confidence boost ahead of Ghana’s second Group L fixture against England as the Black Stars continue their quest to reach the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010.
