Ghana's Black Stars delivered a thrilling 1-0 victory over Panama in their World Cup 2026 qualifying match, thanks to Yirenkyi's stunning late strike. The goal was the culmination of Ghana's relentless pressure, which had been building throughout the second half. With this win, they've effectively put one foot on the plane to the knockout stages – needing just a draw from their next fixture to seal the deal.
The match got off to a nervy start at 12am BST, with both teams feeling each other out in the early exchanges. Ghana's goalkeeper, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, was the hero of the hour in the first half, producing a crucial save and bravely collecting several crosses. However, disaster struck just before the break when he was forced to leave the field due to injury, replaced by Benjamin Asare.
Despite the setback, Ghana continued to pour forward, with Coventry City midfielder Brandon Thomas-Asante leading the charge. His mazy runs and clever interplay were a joy to behold, and it was his pinpoint cross in the 94th minute that set up Yirenkyi for the decisive tap-in. Panama's defence, which had shown remarkable resilience, eventually crumbled under the weight of Ghana's sustained pressure in the dying moments.
Panama's attack, which had looked sharp early on, began to falter as the game wore on, with passes going astray and opportunities squandered. A late chance saw Mosquera venture forward for a header, but Diaz's subsequent effort lacked oomph and was comfortably gathered by Asare. The tension boiled over when Harvey made contact with Asare, resulting in a yellow card.
The final scoreline is a fair reflection of the second half's play, where Ghana's persistence ultimately paid off against a tiring Panamanian attack. For the Black Stars, the focus now shifts to securing that crucial single point to advance in the tournament – and with this hard-fought victory under their belts, they're well-placed to do just that.