TORONTO.- Panama suffered a serious blow to their World Cup dream this Wednesday when they lost 1-0 with Ghana in his debut in Group L of the tournament North America 2026.
Caleb Yirenkyi became the executioner of the Central American team by scoring the winning goal for the Africans in the 90+5 minute after a quick counterattack at the stadium in toronto, Canada.
England and Ghana They lead Group L with 3 points each, while Panama and Croatia They close it without units.
Panama will face Croatia on the second day on Tuesday, also in Toronto, while Ghana will do the same against England that same day in Boston.
This is the second World Cup participation of Central Americans in a World Cupafter that of Russia 2018, where they lost their three games.
Panama dominated the ball by coming out from behind and combining inside play with movements along the flanks, against an opponent who waited well and opted for quick transitions taking advantage of the speed of their players.
It was in the second act when there was more excitement and opportunities for both teams as Ghana advanced their lines and created a greater sense of danger, which Yirenkyi achieved in added time, one minute from the final whistle.
Panama, without its star
The coach of Panama, the Spanish-Danish Thomas Christiansenstarted with the star of the team, Adalberto Cararrasquillasitting on the bench due to a muscle injury.
The steering wheel of the Pumas of Mexico is fundamental in Christiansen’s scheme, defender of the touch game that he inherited from his time in the Barcelonawhen it coincided with the Dutch legend Johan Cruyffas a coach, and with Pep Guardiola as a player.
For its part, Ghana, with the Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz at the controls, in his fifth World Cup in a row, he came out with the forwards Antoine Semenyoof the Manchester Cityand Jordan Ayewof the Leicester City.
The steering wheel of the Villarreal Spanish, Thomas Parteywho will be tried for rape and sexual assault in 2027 in United Kingdomwas discharged because Canada denied him a visa to enter the country.
The match generated great excitement in Panama, where the government allowed officials to leave work several hours early so they could watch it.
In the first half, the Panamanians had the dangerous chances. The first, a notice of Cecilio watermanwhose acrobatic shot after two minutes was cleared by the goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigiin the middle of the rain.
At minute 33, it was Cristian Martínez the one who was on the verge of being alone in front of the goalkeeper, but could not control the ball overtaken by an opponent. Shortly after, Jiovany Ramos He also did not succeed after a rebound from Zigi, who was substituted at half-time due to a blow.
Ghana, what it knows how to play
In the second act, Ghana took a step forward and played the football they do best. A few minutes later, he finished between the three posts for the first time, but at 60′ Martínez scared the Africans again with a ball into the side of the net.
As the minutes passed, those led by Queiroz created greater danger, in moments where the game broke down with both teams looking for the rival goal, each with their own style.
At 64′, Ramos saved Panama by taking a ball that he was preparing to finish Jordan Ayew on the second stick.
When the Panamanians were most searching for the rival goal, the cold water came for their hopes.
In a counterattack by the house, Yirenkyi scored the African victory in the small area after a gallop down the left wing by Brandon Thomas-Asante.
Now it is Ghana, and not Panama, that sees the second round closer, at least as one of the 8 best third parties in the group.
