Caleb Yirenkyi scored a stoppage-time winner to give Ghana a 1-0 win over Panama in a cold and spirited World Cup 2026 game that saw the African side forced to play the second half without starting goalkeeper Lawrence Atizigi on Wednesday.
After a lightning-quick counter-attack, Brendan Thomas-Asante charged forward before playing a precise pass into the area for Yerenki, who tapped home for his first competitive international goal.
Ghana, who were competing in their fifth World Cup and looking to improve on their run to the quarter-finals in 2010, were forced to play the match without Thomas Partey after the midfielder was refused entry to Canada and lost a visa appeal.
Panama, bolstered by a red-clad contingent of supporters, were spirited, purposeful and threatening in the final third, while Ghana were unable to find their rhythm until the second half.
Ati Ziggy was by far Ghana’s best player in the first half.
commanding his area impressively while his teammates failed to manage a single effort on goal for Panama, but he did not come out after a second-half collision.
Cecilio Waterman almost put Panama in front in the second minute with a superb first-time strike from Amir Murillo’s pass, but Etzizi was denied by a diving save.
Shortly after a hydration break, which the fans called out loudly with light rain, Panama tried their best to attack the Ghanaian goal but failed to find a way through.
Panama called for a penalty after Cristian Martinez went down in the box, but their claims of contact with Jerome Opoku did not convince the referee.
Etzizi was treated for a collision near the end of the first half and was replaced by Benjamin Asare as the game opened up and Ghana found their stride. Panama almost opened the scoring in the 60th minute, but Martinez deflected his effort from close range into the side netting at a tight angle.
Jonas Adjeti almost scored for Ghana when he rose high to meet a cross with a header that forced a great stop from Orlando Mosquera. Thomas-Asante sent a lovely low cross into the box for Jordan Ayew but Panama defender Giovani managed to tip it just wide of the post before his second hydration break of the night.
Ghana is excited to have the party available for their June 23 match against England in Boston, while Panama takes on Croatia in Toronto later that day.
