Agonizing defeat in Toronto
Panama touched history, but a goal in injury time left them without their first point in the World Cup. Caleb Yirenkyi poked home Brandon Thomas-Asante’s cross in the 94th minute, and Ghana won 1-0 on Wednesday at Toronto Stadium.
The match, locked and with few clear opportunities, seemed headed for a goalless draw. However, Thomas-Asante broke free on the left and sent in a low cross that Yirenkyi converted into the winning goal. The explosion of Ghanaian joy contrasted with the crying of several Panamanian players on the grass.
“We had a lot of faith that this match was going to be positive for us and now we have to continue,” said coach Thomas Christiansen. “There are two more games we have to compete in, we want to win and we are going to try to do our best.”
Christiansen also analyzed his team’s performance: “In the second half we entered into their game, transitions, more direct play. We made long balls which is not our forte.”
Context and upcoming challenges
Panama, which occupies 35th place in the FIFA ranking, arrived at this World Cup after its debut in 2018, when it lost all three games and did not score points. Now, after this defeat, they will face Croatia on June 23 and England on the 27th.
The only shot on goal of the first half was from Cecilio Waterman in the second minute, but goalkeeper Ati-Zigi deflected it. Ghana played without Thomas Partey, who was denied entry to Canada while he awaits trial on sexual assault charges in England.
England leads Group L after beating Croatia 4-2 in the previous match.




