Caleb Yirenkyi’s stoppage-time goal gave Ghana a dramatic 1-0 win over Panama

Ghana delivered late World Cup heartbreak for Panama after Caleb Yirenkyi scored a dramatic 95th-minute winner in Toronto.

Panama had been just seconds away from earning their first-ever World Cup point before Ghana struck in stoppage time to seal a 1-0 victory in their Group L match.

The game had produced few clear chances, but Ghana found the decisive moment deep into added time.

With six minutes added on, Brandon Thomas-Asante drove down the left flank, beat his marker and squared the ball into the box. Yirenkyi arrived in the right place and tapped in to give Ghana a stunning late win.

The goal was the latest winning strike so far at this summer’s World Cup.

For Panama, the result was cruel.

They had matched Ghana for long periods and appeared set to claim a historic draw in only their fourth World Cup appearance since making their tournament debut in 2018.

Instead, they were left with another defeat and more frustration.

Panama had started brightly and nearly scored inside the opening two minutes. Cecilio Waterman found space and struck at goal, but Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi tipped his effort over the bar.

That early chance showed Panama’s intent, and they continued to frustrate Ghana throughout a tight first half.

The match reached half-time goalless, with neither side able to take control.

Ghana suffered a setback when Ati Zigi landed awkwardly during the opening period. Head coach Carlos Queiroz replaced him at half-time with Benjamin Asare, Ghana’s second-choice goalkeeper.

Panama continued to threaten after the break.

Cristian Martinez came close in the second half when he hammered a shot into the side-netting from only a few yards out.

Late in the game, Panama pushed for a dramatic goal of their own. Goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera came forward for a set-piece and headed the ball towards team-mate Ismael Diaz, who nodded straight at Asare.

That missed opportunity proved costly.

Moments later, Ghana found their breakthrough and left Panama stunned.

The victory gives Ghana an important opening result, but their performance raised questions ahead of tougher fixtures in the group.

They created little before the winning goal and will likely need to improve when they face Group L leaders England in Boston on Tuesday at 21:00 BST.

Panama, meanwhile, will try again to end their losing World Cup record when they face Croatia in Toronto on Wednesday at 00:00 BST.

Both teams still have England and Croatia to play in Group L, meaning the late result could prove significant in the battle to progress.

Ghana were also without midfielder Thomas Partey, who was denied entry to Canada because of ongoing criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom.

For now, Ghana can celebrate a dramatic win secured in the dying seconds.

For Panama, the wait for a first World Cup point continues after one of the most painful endings they could have imagined.