Caleb Yirenkyi scored deep into stoppage time to give Ghana a 1-0 win over Panama in World Cup Group L on Wednesday, giving the African side a crucial three points in their bid to reach the knockout stages for the first time since 2010.
Yirenkyi’s goal came in the 95th minute after Brandon Thomas-Asante jumped past Panama defender Jose Cordoba and played a pass into the area, which the 20-year-old Yirenkyi bundled home. Panama threw everyone forward for a late free-kick in a desperate bid to score an equalizer, but Ghana held on.
Cecilio Waterman’s curling strike in the second minute forced an excellent save from Ghanaian goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, who was replaced by Benjamin Asare due to injury at the start of the second half.
Ghana next faces Group L leaders England. Panama will look to secure its first World Cup victory when it plays Croatia.
Player Ratings Ghana vs Panama:
Ghana
Ati-Zigi (7.0), Senaya (7.2), Adjetey (7.6), Opoku (7.5), Mensah (7.3), Nuamah (6.1), Yirenkyi (8.1), Owusu (6.4), Semenyo (6.5), Sulemana (6.2), Ayew (6.8)
Subs: Asare (7.1), Fatawu (6.8), Thomas-Asante (7.7), Sibo (6.3)
Panama
Rodriguez (5.6), Waterman (5.5), Martínez (6.2), Blackman (6.3), Bárcenas (6.6), Harvey (6.1), Murillo (7.3), Andrade (6.7), Córdoba (6.1), Ramos (7.2), Mosquera (6.2)
Subs: Londono (6.1), Fajardo (5.7), Díaz (6.2)
Published on June 18, 2026
