Stoppage-Time Victory
Ghana Secures 1-0 Victory Over Panama With 95th-Minute World Cup Winner
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Ghana snatched a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama at Toronto's BMO Stadium on June 17, denying the Central American side their first-ever World Cup point. Caleb Yirenkyi scored the only goal in the 95th minute — the latest winning goal in Ghana's World Cup history — to send the Black Stars to the top of Group L Yahoo Sports.
The result was harsh on Panama, who finished with 54% possession, three shots on target to Ghana's two, and 512 total passes compared to Ghana's 408. But a single moment of quality was all that separated the two sides TSN.
Yirenkyi's 95th-Minute Strike Stuns a Deserving Panama
The goal came from a deflected cross by Ernest Nuamah. Yirenkyi reacted quickly and slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner at the 94th minute and 42 seconds. The 21-year-old said afterward: "I saw the ball bobbling and knew it was the last chance. This isn't just my goal; it's for every Ghanaian who believed when the clock hit 90" TSN.
The attendance of 44,120 at BMO Stadium erupted. Toronto is home to an estimated 50,000 Ghanaians in the Greater Toronto Area, giving Ghana a rare home-field feel on foreign soil. Panama's players collapsed on the pitch at the final whistle Times Gazette.
Panama Controlled the Ball but Lacked the Killer Blow
Panama held 60% of possession in the first 20 minutes alone and pressed Ghana deep into their own half. Yet they failed to turn that control into clear chances. Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi made two crucial saves in the first half to keep the score level Yahoo Sports.
Panama's best moment came in the 80th minute, when Adalberto Carrasquilla hit a shot from the edge of the box high and wide. Coach Thomas Christiansen summed up the pain: "For 94 minutes, we were the better team. To be denied our first point in history in the final seconds is a scar that will take time to heal" Yahoo Sports.
Ghana Coach Otto Addo Admits His Side Were Far From Their Best
Ghana failed to register a single shot on target in the entire first half. Despite creating several breakaway chances, they lacked sharpness in the final third. Head coach Otto Addo did not hide from the reality: "We struggled with Panama's possession game early on. We lacked quality in the final third for 80 minutes" TSN.
Ghana committed 14 fouls to Panama's nine. The Black Stars were outpassed 512 to 408. Analysts at the BBC described the match as a "drab affair salvaged by a moment of magic," warning both teams looked "levels below" the standards set by England and Croatia in their opening fixtures Yahoo Sports.
Ghana Joins England at Group Top, Panama on Brink of Elimination
Ghana now sit at the top of Group L with three points, level with England Times Gazette. Their next match is against England — a much sterner test. Addo said his side must improve: "We take the three points and move toward England with humility."
Panama, by contrast, are in deep trouble. A loss in their next game against Croatia would mathematically eliminate them from the tournament. It would end a World Cup campaign without a single point — just as their 2018 appearance did. The Panamanian Football Federation had set "at least one point" as its minimum goal for 2026 Yahoo Sports.
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