Ghana edge Panama on stoppage-time winner in World Cup opener
Caleb Yirenkyi scored in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to give Ghana a 1-0 Group L win over Panama in Toronto.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
3 min read
Ghana opened their World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Panama on Wednesday after Caleb Yirenkyi scored in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time in Toronto. Reuters reported that the result gave Ghana an early edge in a Group L race in which both teams are expected to contest third place.
The winner came after Ghana broke quickly from their own half. Brandon Thomas-Asante carried the ball down the left side into the penalty area and sent it across goal for Yirenkyi, who turned it in from close range, according to Reuters.
A confrontation followed the goal before the referee ended the match, Reuters reported. Ghana’s players and supporters then celebrated in heavy rain at Toronto Stadium after securing all three points in both teams’ first match of the tournament.
The game changed sharply after halftime. Reuters reported that Panama had the better of a quiet first half, while Ghana controlled more of the play in the second period, though clear scoring chances were limited until the late goal.
Panama threatened almost immediately. In the second minute, Cecilio Waterman struck a 15-yard volley that Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi pushed away with a dive to his right, Reuters reported.
Panama had another opening in the 38th minute after Ati Zigi punched away a cross. The loose ball reached Jiovany Ramos, but his right-footed effort from 14 yards went wide, according to Reuters.
Ati Zigi did not return for the second half because of an injury, with Benjamin Asare replacing him in goal. Ghana, which did not register a shot before halftime, produced its first attempt in the 48th minute when Jonas Adjetey’s header was saved by Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, Reuters reported.
The Group L standings also began to take shape earlier Wednesday, when England beat Croatia 4-2 in a meeting of the group’s higher-ranked sides. Reuters reported that FIFA listed England fourth and Croatia 11th at the start of the tournament, compared with Panama at 34th and Ghana at 73rd.
Ghana played without midfielder Thomas Partey. Reuters reported that he was denied a visa to enter Canada because of pending sexual-assault charges in England, which he has denied. Partey is expected to be available for Ghana’s remaining two group matches, which are scheduled in the United States.
Ghana are appearing in the World Cup for the fifth time in six editions. Their best run came in 2010, when they reached the quarterfinals, according to Reuters.
Panama are playing in the tournament for the second time. Reuters reported that Panama lost all three group matches in their previous appearance in 2018.
Both teams return to Group L play on Tuesday. Ghana face England in Foxborough, Massachusetts, while Panama meet Croatia in Toronto, Reuters reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.