Ghana Snatches Victory Over Panama with Last-Minute Goal in World Cup 2026 Group L
The match between Ghana and Panama wasn’t exactly a showcase of top form from the Black Stars, but Caleb Yirenkyi emerged as the unexpected hero. In the 95th minute, he scored a stoppage-time goal that handed Ghana a 1-0 victory, propelling them alongside England to the summit of Group L with three points.
Earlier on Wednesday, England secured a 4-2 win over Croatia, adding more intrigue to the group standings.
Key Moments That Decided the Match
Brandon Thomas-Asante played a crucial role by skillfully evading a defender to deliver the ball into Panama’s penalty area. Yirenkyi then capitalized on the opportunity, sending the ball into the net and sparking celebrations among fans and team staff alike. This goal marks one of Ghana's latest winners in regulation time in their World Cup history.
Panama’s Strong Effort Falls Short
Panama dominated much of the game, holding 63% possession compared to Ghana’s 37%, and outshot their opponents 11 to 8. They created several promising chances but couldn’t convert any. Ghana steadily gained momentum after halftime, eventually breaking through thanks to well-executed passing sequences.
Panama aimed for its first-ever World Cup point following a 0-3 record in their 2018 debut but were left disappointed by that cruel late strike. Now, the spotlight shifts to Ghana, who hold a strong position to advance from the group.
Ghana faces England on June 23 before what could be a decisive match against Croatia on June 27. Those fixtures will likely determine their fate in the tournament.
