In a tense World Cup clash at Toronto Stadium, Ghana edged past Panama with a last-gasp goal from Caleb Yirenkyi, sealing a 1-0 victory. The match was marked by a strong defensive display from both sides, with Ghana managing to withstand a barrage of attacks from Panama, who dominated possession throughout the game. Despite being on the back foot for much of the match, Ghana’s resilience paid off when Yirenkyi found the net deep into stoppage time, sending their supporters into raptures.
Panama controlled the game with 62% possession and created more chances, registering 11 shots compared to Ghana’s 7. However, the Black Stars’ defence, led by a disciplined performance from their backline, limited Panama to just 4 shots on target. The match was a battle of attrition, with both teams showing physicality, resulting in a total of 22 fouls and three yellow cards.
The decisive moment came in the dying seconds of the match when Yirenkyi, who had earlier received a yellow card, scored the only goal of the game with an assist from Brandon Thomas-Asante. This late strike not only secured Ghana’s victory but also provided a much-needed boost to their confidence in the tournament after a mixed start to their campaign.