C. Yirenkyi scores in stoppage time as Ghana beat Panama 1-0

Ghana met Panama in the opening round of the 2026 World Cup group stage. Neither side changed the score in the first half, so the teams went into the break tied at 0-0.

Early in the match, C. Yirenkyi received a yellow card in the 16th minute. The score then remained unchanged for a long spell, before Panama's C. Blackman was booked in the 72nd minute. The decisive moment came in the 90+5th minute, when C. Yirenkyi scored for Ghana from a B. Thomas-Asante assist to put Ghana ahead 1-0. In the 90+9th minute, Panama's C. Harvey also received a yellow card, and the final score stayed Ghana 1-0 Panama.

In the match statistics, with Ghana listed first, possession was 36% to 64%, expected goals were 0.03 to 0.13, shots 1 to 3, shots on target 0 to 1, passing accuracy 82% to 88%, offsides 3 to 1, saves 1 to 0, and fouls 3 to 6.

Looking ahead, Ghana's next match will be against England on 2026-06-23 in round two of the group stage. Panama's next match will be against Croatia on 2026-06-23, also in round two of the group stage.