By Dwayne Ferreira
Ghana start Group L campaign with late Panama win as Caleb Yirenkyi scored in stoppage time to seal a dramatic 1-0 World Cup victory.
Ghana start Group L campaign with late Panama win after Caleb Yirenkyi scored deep into stoppage time to give the Black Stars a dramatic 1-0 victory in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener.
The Group L clash was expected to be tight, and it delivered exactly that. With England and Croatia also in the same group, both Ghana and Panama knew that taking points from their opening match could become crucial in the qualification race.
For Ghana, this was a match they needed to win. The Black Stars entered the tournament with ambitions of making a strong statement, but they also knew that Panama would be difficult to break down.
Panama began with confidence and showed early signs that they were not simply in the tournament to make up the numbers. Their energy, physical approach and direct attacking moments made life uncomfortable for Ghana in the opening stages.
Ghana struggled at times to impose themselves in the first half. Their passing lacked rhythm, and Panama’s defensive organisation made it difficult for the African side to create clear chances.
The match became a test of patience. Ghana had more expectation on their shoulders, but Panama played with freedom and belief, looking for opportunities to punish mistakes whenever they appeared.
Despite the lack of goals, the contest remained tense. Panama had moments where they threatened to take the lead, while Ghana searched for the composure needed to turn possession into real danger.
At half-time, the match remained goalless, and there was a growing sense that one mistake or one moment of quality could decide everything.
Ghana came out in the second half with more urgency. They pushed higher, tried to move the ball quicker and looked for ways to stretch Panama’s defence.
Panama, however, continued to fight. Their players defended with discipline and showed enough attacking threat to keep Ghana alert throughout the second half.
As the match moved toward the final stages, it looked increasingly possible that the two teams would be forced to settle for a draw. For Panama, that would have been a valuable point. For Ghana, it would have felt like a missed opportunity.
Then came the decisive moment. Caleb Yirenkyi scored in stoppage time to give Ghana the breakthrough they had been chasing all night.
The late goal changed everything. Ghana moved from frustration to celebration, while Panama were left devastated after coming so close to earning a point from a difficult opening fixture.
For Ghana, the win was hugely important. It was not a perfect performance, but tournament football often depends on finding a way to win difficult matches. Ghana did exactly that.
The result also gives the Black Stars real momentum before their next Group L challenge. With England waiting, Ghana will know that they must improve, but they will enter that match with confidence after collecting three points.
For Panama, the defeat will be painful. They competed well, stayed organised and looked capable of taking something from the game, but the late goal left them empty-handed.
Panama will now have to respond quickly against Croatia, another team needing points after losing their opener to England. That makes the next round of Group L fixtures even more important.
Ghana start Group L campaign with late Panama win, and while the performance was not flawless, the result was exactly what they needed. In a group where every point could matter, Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time goal may become a defining moment in Ghana’s World Cup journey.
Match Summary
Ghana – 1
Caleb Yirenkyi 90+5’
Panama – 0
Result: Ghana beat Panama 1-0
Player of the Match: Caleb Yirenkyi
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