In a tense World Cup clash at Toronto Stadium, Ghana edged past Panama with a last-gasp goal from Caleb Yirenkyi to seal a 1-0 victory. The match was marked by a strong defensive display from both sides, with Ghana managing to withstand a flurry of attacks from Panama, who dominated possession throughout the match. Despite being on the back foot for much of the game, Ghana’s resilience paid off when Yirenkyi found the net in stoppage time, sending their fans into raptures.
Panama controlled the match with 62% possession and created more chances, registering 11 shots compared to Ghana’s 7. However, the Black Stars defense, led by a disciplined performance from their back line, limited Panama to just 4 shots on goal. The game was a battle of attrition, with both teams showing physicality, with a total of 22 fouls and three yellow cards.
The decisive moment came in the final seconds of the game when Yirenkyi, who had previously 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 gave their confidence a much-needed boost going into the tournament after a mixed start to the campaign.
