Ghana 1-0 Panama: Yirenkyi 90+5
It was as late as could be and perhaps Ghana did not deserve the three points, but they got it and it is a perfect start to their World Cup campaign. Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time winner sickened Panama in Toronto after the central American side had been on top for most of the game.
With England having beaten Croatia earlier in the day, the result ensured Otto Addo’s side joined the Three Lions on three points at the top of Group L, though they will be expecting to do much better in their next two games.
There was perhaps a mitigating circumstance, as here Ghana were without their midfield talisman Thomas Partey, who was denied entry into Canada due to an outstanding charge of rape in the UK. Ghana appealed the decision but it was upheld by a Canadian court.
For much of the evening, chances were scarce but Panama looked the more threatening, adventurous side and came closest to breaking the deadlock when Cecilio Waterman forced an excellent early save from Lawrence Ati-Zigi. The striker met Amir Murillo’s low delivery inside the penalty area, only for the Ghana goalkeeper to react sharply and push the effort away.
Panama continued to enjoy control in the second half and felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Cristian Martinez chased a ball over the top and went to ground under pressure, but the appeals were dismissed. Jiovany Ramos later fired over after Ati-Zigi had punched clear.
Ghana struggled to create openings and managed only a handful of threatening moments before the break. Antoine Semenyo increasingly drifted into central areas in search of influence and produced a clever pass that released Marvin Senaya, whose finish flew well off target.
There was further concern for Ghana when Ati-Zigi, who had required treatment late in the first half following a series of collisions, failed to emerge after the break. Benjamin Asare replaced him in goal. Soon after the Black Stars fashioned their best chance but Jonas Adjetey could only head directly at Orlando Mosquera from close range.
Panama remained dangerous on the counterattack but Ghana began to make their presence felt as the game wound down. Jordan Ayew was denied a tap-in by a superb last-ditch intervention from Ramos after Brandon Thomas-Asante had broken clear down the left. Thomas-Asante then thought he had found the breakthrough himself, only to be thwarted first by an offside flag and then by Mosquera.
With the match drifting towards a goalless draw, Ghana finally found the decisive moment. Thomas-Asante escaped into space down the left flank and delivered a low cross across the six-yard box. Yirenkyi timed his run perfectly, arriving unmarked to guide the ball beyond Mosquera and spark delirium among the Ghana support.
