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Caleb Irenky scored in the 95th minute for Ghana to beat Panama 1-0 in a dramatic Group L clash in Toronto.
Panama proved more than a match for Carlos Queiroz’s side in what was a largely unheralded game as Antoine Semenyo’s brilliance was thwarted by the Central American side looking to claim their first World Cup point at the fourth attempt.
Ghana did not even take a shot in a cautious first half. But it was they who found the winner when Coventry City’s Brandon Thomas-Assante, as a substitute, found space on the left, high slow cross picking up Irenky, who slotted the ball into the net.
Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo celebrates his teammate Caleb Irenky’s opening goal
Highlights from Toronto…
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2: Panama start brightly and Waterman makes an early save.
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58: Thomas-Asante comes on for Ghana and injects more urgency.
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60: Martinez shoots into the side-netting from close range for Panama.
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65: Ayuke Semenyo sets up for a tap-in but Ramos somehow tackles him.
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90+5: Goal! Irenky heads the ball home from close range to win the game.
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90+9: Goalkeeper Mosquera wins a header into the box as Panama chase an equaliser.
Analysis: Ghana punishes Panama
It was cruel on Panama whose hopes of progressing look unlikely as their remaining matches are against England and Croatia. For Ghana, they need to improve. But scoring the latest World Cup winner so far is a moment to cherish.
“We fought like warriors,” Quiroz said. “We won the game with our brains. First we suffered against a great team. They know how to play. We knew they would control the game. But step by step, our strategy was to let them come. That’s the way to win.”
