Ghana beats – Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in its 2026 World Cup opener Wednesday, June 17 in Toronto, with Caleb Yirenkyi scoring in stoppage time after a sharp passing move.
The moment the match slowed down, it felt like Ghana and Panama were headed for a scoreless draw in their World Cup opener on Wednesday, June 17 — until the 95th minute arrived. In Toronto, Ghana broke through for a late winner, turning what looked like a shared point into a full three.
The goal started with Antoine Semenyo springing Brandon Thomas-Asante with a ball out wide. Thomas-Asante beat a sliding Panama defender and then found Caleb Yirenkyi with a cross for an easy finish. It was the latest winner of the World Cup thus far. arriving at the exact point when everything else had largely been settled.
Ghana’s 1-0 win pushed the Black Stars into a tie for momentum at the top of Group L. England also has three points, while Panama and Croatia are each on zero after the early matchday swings.
The sequence mattered because it came after the game had started to read like a tight one: a wide pass, a decisive beat of a defender, and then the final touch that left Yirenkyi with a clean chance. At 95th minute, there was no time left to answer.
For Ghana, the result is an instant statement in Group L. For Panama and Croatia, the delay is brutal: they’re left with zero points after a match that ended with a stoppage-time door slammed shut.
Ghana Panama Caleb Yirenkyi Antoine Semenyo Brandon Thomas-Asante World Cup 2026 Group L Toronto stoppage time goal