Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time tap-in handed Ghana a dramatic 1-0 win over Panama in their World Cup opener, even after the Black Stars failed to muster a single shot in the entire first half.
GHANA STEAL IT IN STOPPAGE TIME
Ghana didn’t make this easy on themselves.
The Black Stars became the first team at this year’s World Cup to fail to register a single shot in an entire first half — yet somehow walked away from Toronto with all three points, beating Panama 1-0 in their Group L opener.
The hero arrived agonisingly late. In the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, Brandon Thomas-Asante drove into the box and rolled a pass across goal for Caleb Yirenkyi to tap home, sparking wild celebrations among Ghana’s fans and players, per Reuters.
Panama dominated for long stretches, particularly before halftime, and threw everything at Ghana in the closing minutes searching for an equaliser. Ghana’s defence held firm.
The win lifts Ghana to second in Group L, with Panama dropping to third.
Notably, Ghana were without midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied a Canadian visa over pending UK sexual assault charges, which he denies. He’ll be available for Ghana’s remaining group games.
Both sides return Tuesday — Ghana face England in Foxborough, while Panama take on Croatia in Toronto.
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