Ghana edged past Panama in a tense and hard-fought encounter that remained finely balanced until the very final moments. While the African side enjoyed more possession and spent longer on the front foot, clear-cut chances were at a premium throughout a fiercely contested battle.

Just when the match appeared destined to end level, Ghana found the breakthrough deep into stoppage time. In the 95th minute, a last-gasp attacking move finally tipped the scales in their favour, sparking celebrations among the Black Stars and heartbreak for their opponents.

World Cup 2026

Ghana - Panama 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Yirenkyi, 95 (1:0)

Ghana: Ati-Zigi (Asare, 46); Adjetey; Mensah G.; Opoku J.; Senaya; Yirenkyi; Owusu E. (Sibo, 78); Sulemana К. (Thomas-Asante, 58); Nuamah (Fatawu, 58); Jordan Ayew (Kwabena Prince, 87); Semenyo
Substitution: Asare (from 46); Fatawu (from 58); Thomas-Asante (from 58); Sibo (from 78); Kwabena Prince (from 87)
Bench: Anang; Seidu A.; Mumin; Rahman Baba; Oppong; Luckassen D.; Bonsu Baah; Boakye; Inaki Williams
Yellow Cards: Yirenkyi 16

Panama: Mosquera Or.; Blackman (Godoy, 90); Córdoba J.; Ramos; Andrade A.; Murillo А.; Martínez Cr. (Londoño, 63); Harvey; Puma (Díaz I., 74); Bárcenas; Waterman (Fajardo, 63)
Substitution: Fajardo (from 63); Londoño (from 63); Díaz I. (from 74); Godoy (from 90)
Bench: Mejía; Samudio; Escobar F.; Fariña; Davis E.; Miller R.; Gutiérrez; Carrasquilla; Quintero A.; Rodríguez T.; Yanis
Yellow Cards: Blackman 72; Harvey 90