Ghana defeated Panama 1-0 in the opening game of Group L at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday morning thanks to a wonderful run by substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante and a late goal by 20-year-old Caleb Yirenkyi in Toronto, Canada.
Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi started in post ahead of Benjamin Asare and in defence, Senaye, Jonah Adjetey, Jerome Opoku and Gideon Mensah made up the back four. Meanwhile, Kwasi Sibo was left on the bench for Caleb Yirenkyi and Elisha Owusu to start in midfield while Jordan Ayew led the attack with Antoine Semenyo and Ernest Nuamah playing on the left and right wings respectively.
Panama pushed Ghana into defensive mode early in the game as Ati-Zigi was made to pull a wonderful save just after the second minute to prevent Cecilia Waterman from breaking the deadlock after the Universidad de Concepcion striker connected cross from Amir Murillo.
As Panama pinned Ghana to the back foot, Caleb Yirenkyi picked the first yellow card of the game on 16th minute after a poor challenge and that affected his game approach.
With chances very premium for the Black Stars, it took Antoine Semenyo almost 20 minutes to have a single touch of the ball in the game as he appeared isolated throughout the first half.
After the break, Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare replaced injured Ati-Zigi and became the first-ever Ghana Premier League goalkeeper to feature in a World Cup game.
Jonah Adjetey almost scored for Ghana against the run of play on 48th minute after his header was saved before Yirenkyi skied another effort two minutes later.
With the Black Stars struggling to hold the ball, coach Carlos Queiroz brought on Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Brandon Thomas Asante for Kamaldeen Sulemana and Ernest Nuamah respectively. That substitution . On 62nd minute, Senaye nearly forced an own goal from Panama as his cross took a slight deflection and forcing a corner kick in the process.
Jordan Ayew came close to score by the 65th minute after Thomas-Asante went past his marker and sent in a wonderful cross but Ayew was beaten to it.
Ghana appealed for a penalty on 67th minute when Jerome Opoku was brought down but amid the pleas from the Black Stars, Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg ignored them leading to a loud roar at the BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.
Fatawu was brought down on the edge of the Panama box by César Blackman but Adjetey headed wide from the resulting free kick by Jordan Ayew on 73rd minute.
With just a minute of additional time remaining, Thomas-Asante latched on to a pass and dazzled his way into the Panama box before laying it to Yirenkyi who coolly finished it off to send the Ghanaians in the stadium into a wild and ‘kakalika’ jubilation.
Ghana, after this win, will face England on June 27 and a win or draw seal their place in the next round of the tournament.
