Marvin Senaya (L) of Ghana vies with Cecilio Waterman of Panama during the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
TORONTO, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Caleb Yirenkyi's 95th-minute goal earned Ghana a 1-0 victory over Panama in their FIFA World Cup Group L match at Toronto Stadium on Wednesday.
Substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante provided the assist for the winner, which came despite Panama enjoying 55 percent possession.
Ghana entered the game without three key players, including midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied entry to Canada because of an ongoing case in Britain.
The African side was further depleted when starting goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi was forced to leave the game at halftime following heavy collisions in the first half. Substitute Benjamin Asare came on and kept a clean sheet.
Yirenkyi, who had been shown a yellow card in the 16th minute, became an unlikely hero in stoppage time.
It marked Ghana's first competitive victory under manager Carlos Queiroz, who was appointed just two months before the tournament.
Ghana, which sits second in the group, will face group leader England on June 23 in Boston, while Panama will take on Croatia in Toronto. ■
Jonas Adjetey (L) of Ghana vies with Jose Luis Rodriguez of Panama during the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Jose Luis Rodriguez (2nd L) and Carlos Harvey (1st R) of Panama are seen during the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Yang Shu/Xinhua)
Players of Ghana pose for group photos before the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Marvin Senaya (L) of Ghana vies with Cesar Blackman of Panama during the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Players of Ghana sing national anthem before the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Lawrence Ati Zigi, goalkeeper of Ghana, saves a goal during the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Marvin Senaya (L) of Ghana vies with Cesar Blackman of Panama during the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Yang Shu/Xinhua)
Lawrence Ati Zigi (top), goalkeeper of Ghana, saves a goal during the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Yang Shu/Xinhua)
Lawrence Ati Zigi, goalkeeper of Ghana, saves a goal during the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Lawrence Ati Zigi, goalkeeper of Ghana, saves a goal during the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Cristian Martinez (C) of Panama vies with Jerome Opoku (R) of Ghana during the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Cristian Martinez (L) of Panama vies with Jerome Opoku (R) and Gideon Mensah of Ghana during the group L match between Ghana and Panama at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua)
Football fans watch Panama's opening match against Ghana in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at a restaurant in Panama City, Panama, June 17, 2026. Panama loses 1-0 to Ghana. This is Panama's second appearance at the FIFA World Cup. (Xinhua/Li Jiaxu)
A Panamanian football fan watch Panama's opening match against Ghana in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at a restaurant in Panama City, Panama, June 17, 2026. Panama loses 1-0 to Ghana. This is Panama's second appearance at the FIFA World Cup. (Xinhua/Li Jiaxu)
A Panamanian football fan watch Panama's opening match against Ghana in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at a restaurant in Panama City, Panama, June 17, 2026. Panama loses 1-0 to Ghana. This is Panama's second appearance at the FIFA World Cup. (Xinhua/Li Jiaxu)
A Panamanian football fan watch Panama's opening match against Ghana in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at a restaurant in Panama City, Panama, June 17, 2026. Panama loses 1-0 to Ghana. This is Panama's second appearance at the FIFA World Cup. (Xinhua/Li Jiaxu)
Football fans watch Panama's opening match against Ghana in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at a restaurant in Panama City, Panama, June 17, 2026. Panama loses 1-0 to Ghana. This is Panama's second appearance at the FIFA World Cup. (Xinhua/Li Jiaxu)
A Panamanian football fan watch Panama's opening match against Ghana in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at a restaurant in Panama City, Panama, June 17, 2026. Panama loses 1-0 to Ghana. This is Panama's second appearance at the FIFA World Cup. (Xinhua/Li Jiaxu)
