Caleb Yirenkyi and Jonas Adjetey celebrate after the match@John Sokolowski/Reuters
Ghana’s fans and players erupted in wild celebrations as Caleb Yirenkyi finished a sweeping counterattack with a tap-in goal deep into second-half stoppage time, securing a dramatic 1-0 victory in the Ghana vs Panama World Cup Group L opener. The rainy conditions in Toronto provided the backdrop for a scrappy yet thrilling encounter that saw the Black Stars snatch all three points in the 95th minute.
Ghana vs Panama: Stoppage-Time Drama
The decisive moment arrived just as the match seemed destined for a frustrating goalless draw. After Ghana quickly regained possession and transitioned from their own half, Brandon Thomas-Asante drove the ball into the 18-yard box down the left flank. He intelligently rolled a precise pass towards the middle, allowing Yirenkyi to redirect it past the goalkeeper and into the net. A brief melee ensued before the referee blew the final whistle, cementing a crucial win for the West African side.
This breathless finale was in stark contrast to a rather subdued first half. Panama were arguably the superior team before the interval, dictating the tempo and creating the better opportunities. In the second minute, Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi was called into immediate action, diving sharply to his right to deny a 15-yard volley from Cecilio Waterman.
Panama continued to threaten and fashioned another half-chance in the 38th minute. Ati Zigi executed a leaping punch to clear a dangerous cross, but the ball fell kindly to Jiovany Ramos, who could only slice his right-footed strike wide of the target. Remarkably, Ghana
failed to register a single shot in the first half, becoming the first team in this year’s tournament to achieve that dubious feat.
However, the dynamic shifted after the break. Ghana dictated more of the play and showed renewed attacking intent. Jonas Adjetey finally ended the shooting drought with a header in the 48th minute, which was comfortably gathered by Panama’s Orlando Mosquera. The Black Stars were also forced into a half-time change as Ati Zigi succumbed to injury, with Benjamin Asare stepping in seamlessly to keep a clean sheet.
The Ghanaians secured this vital result without midfield talisman Thomas Partey. He was denied a visa to enter Canada due to pending charges in the United Kingdom, which he firmly denies. Fortunately for Ghana, Partey will be available for their remaining two group fixtures in the United States.
This match was widely viewed as a crucial showdown for third place in Group L, especially after England defeated Croatia 4-2 earlier on Wednesday. Despite entering the tournament ranked 73rd by FIFA compared to Panama’s 34th, Ghana’s pedigree shone through. They are making their fifth World Cup appearance in six editions, having notably reached the quarterfinals in 2010. Meanwhile, Panama are competing in only their second World Cup, hoping to improve upon their winless 2018 campaign.
Ghana will now carry this immense momentum into their daunting clash against group favourites England on Tuesday in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Panama must regroup quickly as they prepare to face Croatia back in Toronto, desperate to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
