Yirenkyi’s late – Caleb Yirenkyi tapped in at the end of stoppage time to give Ghana a 1-0 win over Panama in their World Cup opener on Wednesday night, denying Panama a first point in the tournament. Ghana climbed to the top of Group L as England beat Croatia 4-2 earlier.
TORONTO — The rain over BMO Field didn’t stop Ghana from believing, and it didn’t stop Panama from pushing — it just made every chance feel harder to come by.
In the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, Caleb Yirenkyi finished off a moment that looked brief but felt decisive. Brandon Thomas-Asante got loose on the left side and fired a ball across the goal mouth. Yirenkyi tapped it in. sending Ghana’s players streaming onto the field as the final whistle ended a tense. low-chance opening match.
For Panama, the pain was immediate: the late goal denied them their first World Cup point.
Ghana had arrived without midfielder Thomas Partey. He was denied entry into Canada while he awaits trial on rape charges in England, a sudden absence that hovered over the squad’s build-up to the tournament opener.
The match itself offered few clean looks, and it punished both sides whenever they hesitated. In the first half, the only shot on goal came in the 2nd minute. Panama forward Cecilio Waterman collected a low cross from Amir Murillo and clipped the ball from the center of the box toward the net. Ati-Zigi reacted quickly, diving to his right and palming the effort away.
Ati-Zigi then became part of the story in a different way. After absorbing the brunt of a couple of hard collisions, he left the game at halftime. Benjamin Asare came on to take over in goal.
The game’s rhythm shifted as the hour passed. After the first hour, with chances coming at a premium in the wet conditions, the match opened up and both teams started smashing shots toward the net.
In the 65th minute, Ghana again threatened. Thomas-Asante broke through Panama’s back line and played a ball along the 6-yard box toward Jordan Ayew. Jiovany Ramos ran up from behind and slid in with a tackle to prevent the tap-in.
The result leaves Ghana at the top of Group L with England, which beat Croatia 4-2 earlier in the day.
Ghana vs Panama Yirenkyi World Cup opener Brandon Thomas-Asante Ati-Zigi Benjamin Asare Thomas Partey Group L England vs Croatia
Late goals are the best, Panama just got robbed.
Wait Thomas Partey couldn’t even enter Canada? That sounds like a whole mess. But yeah Ghana still won so I guess it didn’t matter.
I might be mixing things up, but wasn’t that goalie Ati-Zigi supposed to be like the star? Left at halftime?? Maybe the rain made him trip or something.
So Ghana’s midfielder wasn’t there because of charges in England and the team still played?? Honestly that’s wild, like they should’ve been distracted. Also it said England is on top with 4-2, but Group L already sounds confusing lol. The rain + stoppage time tap-in… it felt like one of those games where anything can happen.