Caleb Yirenkyi scores late as Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in World Cup opener

TORONT— It was a play Ghana has been practicing throughout its World Cup preparation. And after a night of missed chances, it worked. Caleb Yirenkyi tapped in a cross from Brandon Thomas-Asante in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, and Ghana beat Panama 1-0 on Wednesday night in the teams’ World Cup opener. READ: World Cup 2026: How are the favorites shaping up? Thomas-Asante got loose on the left side and fired the ball across the goal mouth. Yirenkyi knocked it in, sending his teammates streaming onto the field to embrace both players. “Get the ball to the wings, […]...Keep on reading: World Cup: Caleb Yirenkyi's late goal lifts Ghana past Panama

Ghana's Caleb Yirenkyi scored a 95th-minute winner to deny Panama their first-ever World Cup point in Toronto, Canada.

Ghana secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener, thanks to Caleb Yirenkyi's deep stoppage-time goal. The late strike denied Panama their first-ever World Cup point. Despite a tight encounter with few clear chances, Ghana's late heroics ensured they began their campaign with maximum points, joining England at the top of Group L.

TORONTO, Canada (AFP) — Ghana scored a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening World Cup Group L clash in Toronto on Wednesday. Caleb Yirenkyi bundled in the winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time, sending thousands of Ghanaians in Canada's largest city into a frenzy and settling an otherwise attritional battle. Both sides largely struggled to generate chances in the first half after Panama striker Cecilio Waterma's second minute attempt was steered away by outstretched Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi. The Black Stars didn't attempt a shot on goal through the first half. The second half played out under steady rain at the Toronto Stadium but saw more sustained attacking play. Cristian Martinez triggered a massive roar from the loud Panamanian contingent when he lashed a shot into the side-netting in the 60th minute. But the match looked headed for a scoreless draw until Yirenkyi put the Black Stars ahead. Ghana's veteran coach Carlos Queiroz turned to his side's fans after the goal, urging them on in celebration. Queiroz only took charge of the Black Stars a couple of months before the start of the tournament. Wednesday's fixture made him only the second coach to appear in five consecutive World Cups, after leading Portugal in 2010 and Iran in 2014, 2018 and 2022. Loud boos rang out across the crowd of nearly 43,000 during a second-half hydration break under pouring rain. Ghana triumphed despite being without Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey, who is facing trial on rape charges in Britain. Canadian authorities denied him a World Cup visa, over the British case.

Ghana finally prevailed 1-0 when 20-year-old Caleb Yirenkyi scored in second-half stoppage time.

Caleb Yirenkyi struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Ghana edged Panama 1-0 in a tense Group L clash at Toronto Stadium, moving level on points with England.