Debunt Yirenkyi Scores Winner As Ghana Beat Panama 1-0 In World Cup Opener

World Cup debutant Caleb Yirenkyi marked his first appearance with the winning goal as Ghana defeated Panama 1-0 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L opener on Wednesday at BMO Field.

Yirenkyi was one of the debutants in the Ghana starting line-up alongside Marvin Senaya, Jonas Adjetey, Jerome Opoku, and Ernest Nuamah in a mixed youth with experience, led by captain Jordan Ayew in his third World Cup appearance.

After a tight first half and decent exchanges, the decisive moment came in the 95th minute.

The youngster began the attack from midfield as he laid a pass to Antoine Semenyo who drove through midfield before smashing the ball into the net after getting on the end of Brandon Thomas-Asante's pass.

Substitute Benjamin Asare preserved the advantage with a key save from Ismael Díaz in the 98th minute, while the defensive quartet of Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku and Gideon Mensah stood firm to secure a clean sheet.

Antoine Semenyo and Ernest Nuamah provided threat on the wings, with captain Ayew leading the line as Ghana controlled the second half to claim three vital points in Group L.

Brandon Thomas-Asante, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Kwasi Sibo, and Kwabena Adu made a huge impact in the second half as they came on for Kamal Deen Sulemana, Jordan Ayew, Elisha Owusu, and Ernest Nuamah.

The result puts Ghana second in Group L ahead of matches against England and Croatia.

Ghana will take on England in Boston on Tuesday, June 23, 2026