Ghana secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama because of Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time winner of their first Group L match on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Simply when the sport appeared destined to finish goalless, Yirenkyi struck within the ninety fifth minute handy the Black Stars a priceless three factors and transfer them into second place within the group behind England.
The profitable aim got here after wonderful work from Brandon Thomas-Asante down the left flank. The Coventry Metropolis ahead skipped previous a problem from Panama defender Jose Cordoba earlier than delivering a low cross into the field. Yirenkyi arrived on the far publish to show the ball into the empty web, sparking wild celebrations amongst Ghana’s gamers and supporters.
The match had been a tense and intently fought contest with few clear possibilities. Panama appeared set to earn the primary World Cup level of their historical past and even pushed their goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera ahead for a late nook looking for a winner.
Nevertheless, Ghana held agency earlier than producing the decisive second deep into added time.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz praised his gamers after the match, saying his aspect executed their recreation plan completely.
“First we needed to undergo, we battled like warriors. We received the sport with the brains,” Queiroz mentioned.
“We knew they’d management elements of the sport. Our technique was to stay affected person and take our likelihood when it got here.”
Former Nigeria striker Efan Ekoku described the aim as one of the crucial vital moments in latest Ghanaian soccer historical past, saying Panama could be devastated to see a worthwhile level slip away so late within the recreation.
The victory provides Ghana an enormous increase in Group L and units up a mouth-watering conflict towards group leaders England on Tuesday. The winner of that encounter will safe a spot within the Spherical of 32 with one group recreation nonetheless to play.
Panama, in the meantime, stay and not using a level in World Cup historical past after dropping all 4 of their matches on the match. They’ll now face Croatia in a must-win recreation to maintain their qualification hopes alive.
Ghana’s dramatic victory means the race for qualification stays large open, with the Black Stars now dreaming of a spot within the knockout levels.
