2026 FIFA World Cup: Watch highlights of Black Stars’ 95th-minute victory against Panama

The Black Stars, Ghana’s senior men’s national football team, won their first game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.

The Black Stars recorded a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama, with a lone strike from youngster Caleb Yirenkyi deep into stoppage time to hand Ghana a priceless opening win.

With the match seemingly heading for a stalemate, Ghana found a breakthrough in the fifth minute of added time. Yirenkyi started the move before Brandon Thomas-Asante collected the ball, beat his marker, and surged into the penalty area.

The forward then kept his composure to pick out the unmarked Yirenkyi, who arrived at the back post to turn home the winner in the 95th minute.

The Black Stars struggled in the first half of the game as they were forced onto the back foot from the opening whistle, with Panama starting brightly and creating a series of early opportunities.

Black Stars goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi kept Ghana in the game in the first half before an injury forced him off at the beginning of the second half. He was replaced by Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare.

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz reshuffled his side in the second half, introducing Brandon Thomas-Asante and Fatawu Issahaku.

The substitutions injected some energy into the attack, making the Black Stars look more dangerous.

Yirenkyi’s 95th-minute strike fires Ghana past Panama in World Cup opener

Watch highlights of the game below