Ghana vs Panama: Caleb Yirenkyi's Crucial Goal in Black Stars' 1st 2026 World Cup Win Trends
- Ghana secured a thrilling 1-0 win against Panama in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opening game
- Caleb Yirenkyi scored a dramatic last-minute goal to secure three points for the Black Stars
- YEN.com.gh looks at videos of the highlights of the match and Yirenkyi's superb winner online
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Ghana's Black Stars have won their first match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, defeating Panama on Wednesday, June 17.
Source: Instagram
The Black Stars claimed all three points after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Central American side at the Toronto Stadium in the co-host nation, Canada.
FC Nordsjælland midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi scored the goal in the dying minutes (90+5) after a counterattack saw him slotting home from a Brandon Thomas-Asante cross.
Yirenkyi started that attack after receiving a pass from left-back, Gideon Mensah, who had intercepted a Panama incursion.
The 20-year-old found Antoine Semenyo, the eventual Player of the Match, who quickly set Thomas-Asante free down the left.
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After a quick sprint and beating a slide tackle by his marker, the Coventry City forward drove into the area and squared the ball for Yirenkyi to tap home.
Watch the Instagram video of Ghana's 2026 World Cup goal against Panama below:
Yirenkyi's goal, which earned Ghana its sixth-ever win at the senior men's World Cup, also denied Panama, nicknamed Los Canaleros, their first tournament point.
Watch another angle of the goal on Instagram:
Ghana Black Stars' 2026 World Cup schedule
Ghana's Black Stars, playing in their fifth World Cup, are placed in group L with England, Panama and Croatia.
After their opening game, the Black Stars will move to the Boston Stadium in the US to face England at 8:00 PM on June 23.
The last group game, against Croatia, also comes off in the US at the Philadelphia Stadium on June 27 at 9:00 PM.
Watch the full highlights of the Black Stars game on YouTube:
Reactions to Caleb Yirenkyi's goal against Panama
The last-minute goal by Caleb Yirenkyi and his general performance in the game have earned him a lot of praise on social media.
YEN.com.gh gathered some reactions below.
benjaminnanaadjekum9092 said:
"Caleb Yirenkyi, the wonder kid, Thomas-Asante's brilliant assist."
ariscodidon1234 saidl
"Yirenkyi guy, they prove themselves paaaa ooooh I swear,"
hillaryboateng said:
"Caleb, Semenyo, Brandon and then back to Caleb! Very well taken goal!!👌🏾🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭😍🔥🔥."
nanaesicisca said:
"To think that the 3 of them did the job together. That pass from Caleb to Semenyo, then to Brandon, and Caleb ends up scoring 😍😍😍."
Source: Getty Images
Prophet shares Caleb Yirenkyi's prophecy
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Kofi Amponsah had shared a prophecy for the Black Stars ahead of their game against Panama.
In a viral video, he claimed to have foreseen Caleb Yirenkyi performing very well at the World Cup and urged the coach to start him.
Social media users who took to the comments section of the video shared varied opinions on the prophet's remarks about the match.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
