Ghana kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, as youngster Caleb Yirenkyi struck deep into stoppage time to hand the Black Stars a priceless opening win.
The Black Stars were forced onto the back foot from the opening whistle, with Panama starting brightly and creating a series of early opportunities.
Just a minute into the contest, goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was called into action and responded with a crucial save as Panama looked determined to seize control.
Ati-Zigi continued to keep Ghana in the game with several important interventions, but his evening was cut short by injury. The goalkeeper was unable to continue and was replaced at half-time by Benjamin Asare.
Sensing the danger, Carlos Queiroz reshuffled his side in the second half, introducing Brandon Thomas-Asante and Fatawu Issahaku in a bid to inject energy into the attack.
The substitutions helped Ghana gain more territory and possession, but clear-cut chances remained difficult to come by as Panama stood firm.
With the match seemingly heading for a stalemate, Ghana found a breakthrough in the fifth minute of added time. Yirenkyi started the move before Brandon Thomas-Asante collected the ball, beat his marker, and surged into the penalty area.
The forward then kept his composure to pick out the unmarked Yirenkyi, who arrived at the back post to turn home the winner in the 95th minute.
The dramatic victory gives Ghana their second winning start at a World Cup, following opening-match triumph against Serbia in 2010.
More importantly, it provides the Black Stars with a perfect platform ahead of their remaining Group L fixtures against England and Croatia.