Ghana 1–0 Panama: Caleb Yirenkyi's stoppage-time tap-in wins chaotic Group L opener

Ghana snatched a 1–0 win over Panama in their Group L opener at BMO Field in Toronto, with Caleb Yirenkyi finishing a sweeping counterattack in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time. Brandon Thomas-Asante drove down the left flank and rolled the ball across the box for Yirenkyi to redirect into the net, settling a game that had been goalless and largely controlled by Panama.

The Black Stars were second best through a disjointed first half — they failed to register a single shot before the break — with Panama's Cecilio Waterman and Jiovany Ramos both threatening. Ghana lost goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi to injury at the interval, with Benjamin Asare coming on, but improved after the restart as Antoine Semenyo dragged them forward. The late winner sparked a melee before the final whistle. Ghana moved up the table while Panama remained without a point at a World Cup.