Ghana Stuns Panama with Stoppage-Time Winner to Top World Cup Group L

Ghana secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Panama in their FIFA World Cup Group L match on Wednesday, with Caleb Yirenkyi scoring a dramatic 95th-minute goal at Toronto Stadium. The decisive moment came when substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante delivered a cross that Yirenkyi converted, giving Ghana their first competitive win under manager Carlos Queiroz, who took the helm just two months before the tournament.

Despite Panama dominating possession with 55 percent of the ball, Ghana's defense proved resolute throughout a tightly contested match. Panama created the game's first meaningful chance early on when Cecilio Waterman forced a save from Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the second minute. The first half was largely cagey, with both sides struggling to create clear opportunities in wet Toronto conditions. Panama's Cristian Martínez had a penalty appeal denied, while Jiovany Ramos fired high and wide.

Ghana improved significantly after the interval, though they were forced to make a goalkeeper change at halftime when starting keeper Ati-Zigi was replaced by Benjamin Asare following heavy collisions in the first half. Asare maintained a clean sheet for the remainder of the match. As the game opened up in the closing stages, Ghana found their rhythm with Leicester's Jordan Ayew coming close before Yirenkyi's late heroics settled the affair.

Ghana entered the match depleted by the absence of key midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied entry to Canada due to an ongoing legal case in Britain. Despite these challenges, the victory propels Ghana to second place in Group L, level on points with group leaders England. Panama's head coach Thomas Christiansen acknowledged the defeat as painful, stating that "mistakes are expensive" at the World Cup and pledging to "fight until the last breath" in their upcoming clash with Croatia. Ghana will face England on June 23 in Boston, while Panama meets Croatia in Toronto.