Ghana edge Panama 1-0 on Yirenkyi stoppage time strike

Ghana snatched a dramatic 1-0 win over Panama in their opening Fifa World Cup Group L fixture on Wednesday, with substitute Caleb Yirenkyi bundling home a stoppage time winner at BMO Field in Toronto to spark wild celebrations among the travelling Black Stars support.

The breakthrough came in the fifth minute of second half added time, when Brandon Thomas-Asante drove into the box down the left and rolled a low pass across goal for Yirenkyi to turn home from close range. The goal sparked a brief melee before referee blew for full time, sealing a hard fought victory in a match that had threatened to end goalless.

Ghana had looked the more dangerous side after the break, dictating the bulk of the play despite failing to register a single shot on target in the first half, a feat no other side had managed so far in this year’s tournament. Panama had been the better side before the interval, with Cecilio Waterman forcing a smart save from Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi inside the opening two minutes, diving low to his right to deny a 15 yard volley.

Panama came closest to a second opportunity in the 38th minute when Ati Zigi punched clear a dangerous cross, only for the loose ball to fall to Jiovany Ramos, whose 14 yard effort with his right foot drifted wide. Jonas Adjetey eventually ended Ghana’s goalless run with a header in the 48th minute, which was kept out by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera.

The second half, played in steady rain, produced far more attacking intent from both sides. Cristian Martínez drew a huge roar from the Panamanian fans on the hour mark when his powerful strike flashed into the side netting, but it was Yirenkyi who had the final say deep into injury time.

Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz turned to celebrate with the travelling fans immediately after the goal. The win marked a piece of history for the veteran Portuguese tactician, who took charge of the Black Stars only months before the tournament kicked off. Wednesday’s match made him only the second coach to feature at five consecutive World Cups, having previously led Portugal in 2010 and Iran across 2014, 2018 and 2022.

There were jeers from the 43000 strong crowd when match officials called a mandatory hydration break in the second half despite the persistent rain.

Ghana were without midfielder Thomas Partey for the win after Canadian authorities denied him an entry visa over pending legal proceedings in the United Kingdom, where he faces sexual assault charges he has denied. Partey is expected to be available for Ghana’s remaining two group matches, which will both be played in the United States.

Ghana are appearing in their fifth World Cup in the last six editions, with a quarterfinal finish in 2010 remaining their best showing at the tournament. Panama, by contrast, are at only their second World Cup finals, having lost all three group matches when they featured in 2018.

Earlier on Wednesday, England beat Croatia 4-2 in the other Group L fixture. At the start of the tournament, FIFA had England ranked fourth in the world, Croatia 11th, Panama 34th and Ghana 73rd.

Both sides return to action on Tuesday, with Ghana taking on England in Foxborough, Massachusetts, while Panama face Croatia again in Toronto.