Panama midfielder Jose Luis Rodriguez and Ghana midfielder Caleb Yerenke fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group L soccer match between Ghana and Panama at Toronto Stadium in Toronto on June 17, 2026. | Image source: Agence France-Presse
CAlip Yerenke completed a sweeping counter-attack and scored in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, as Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in the teams’ World Cup opener on Wednesday in rainy Toronto.
After Ghana quickly moved the play from its own half, Brandon Thomas Asante sent the ball into the 18-yard box down the left flank. He played a pass towards the middle and Jerinki redirected it into the net.
After a very quiet first half, the teams regained their rhythm in the second half, but scoring chances remained slim until the decisive match.
