FIFA WC 2026: Yirenkyi’s 95th minute strike gives Ghana 1-0 win over Panama
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Toronto: Caleb Yirenkyi scored a 95th-minute winner as Ghana defeated Panama 1-0 in Group L of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at Toronto Stadium on Thursday.
Panama had the opening chance when Amir Murillo’s low cross found Cecilio Waterman, but goalkeeper Benjamin Asare produced a diving save. A subsequent Asare punch fell to Jiovany Ramos, who had time to shoot but fired over.
The second half saw Panama again threaten, with Cristian Martínez coming close after collecting a loose ball and directing a shot into the side netting. Ghana made a double substitution just before the hour mark that almost paid off when Brandon Thomas Asante cut inside and squared for Jordan Ayew, only for Ramos to make a goal saving block.
The match looked set to finish level until Thomas Asante broke down the left late on and delivered for Yirenkyi, who tapped in his first international goal in stoppage time to secure the victory for the Black Stars and deny Panama a first World Cup point.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz now becomes the second manager to take teams to five successive World Cups, having previously led Portugal (2010), Iran (2014), and Iran (2018, 2022) before guiding Ghana in 2026, joining Bora Milutinovic in that achievement.
(Inputs from IANS)