Panama’s midfielder Jose Luis Rodriguez and Ghana’s midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group L football match between Ghana and Panama at the Toronto Stadium in Toronto on June 17, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
Caleb Yirenkyi completed a sweeping counterattack with a tap-in goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, lifting Ghana to a 1-0 win over Panama in both teams’ opening World Cup match on Wednesday in rainy Toronto.
After Ghana quickly moved the play from their own half, Brandon Thomas-Asante drove the ball into the 18-yard box down the left flank. He rolled a pass toward the middle for Yirenkyi to redirect into the net.
After a very quiet first half, the teams picked up the tempo in the second half, but scoring chances remained minimal until the decisive play.