Ghana snatched a vital three points in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener on Wednesday, as 20-year-old substitute Caleb Yirenkyi tapped in a counter-attacking goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to seal a 1–0 victory over Panama in rainy Toronto. The late winner capped a scrappy, high-tempo match that had seemed destined for a draw before Ghana found their moment.

Panama, appearing in just their second World Cup after losing all three group-stage matches at Russia 2018, were the stronger side in the first half, creating the game's earliest chance when goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi — who was later forced off at half-time through injury — dived to his right to deny Cecilio Waterman's volley in the second minute. Ghana, by contrast, attempted no shots in the entire first half, a dubious first for this year's tournament. After the interval, the match opened up considerably. Panama came out with renewed energy and pressed Ghana back, hitting the side-netting and forcing further saves, but could not convert their chances. Ghana's head coach Carlos Queiroz, the experienced Portuguese manager, later noted that Panama's growing frustration at their missed opportunities was precisely the opening his side needed: