• Caleb Yirenkyi scored a last-minute goal to lead Ghana to a 1-0 victory over Panama.
• Ghana's goalkeeper, Lawrence Ati Zigi, was substituted at half-time due to injury.
• The match was part of Group L, critical for both teams' World Cup aspirations.
• Ghana celebrated their first win in this tournament after being without key player Thomas Partey.

Caleb Yirenkyi delivered a dramatic late winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time, giving Ghana a crucial 1-0 victory over Panama in their World Cup Group L opener. The goal, which Yirenkyi tapped in following a swift counterattack initiated by Brandon Thomas-Asante, came after a scrappy and chaotic match. Ghana's victory marks their first success in the tournament since 2010, as they strive to reach the knockout stage once again, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The match, held in rainy Toronto, featured a strong performance from Ghana's goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, who made several crucial saves, including from a powerful strike by Panama's Cecilio Waterman in the second minute. Despite this, Zigi was forced to leave the match at halftime due to injury, creating challenges for Ghana's defensive strategy in the second half. Benjamin Asare filled in as goalkeeper after the break, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

In a tense showdown, Ghana struggled during the first half, failing to register a shot on goal, while their opponents, Panama, displayed more attacking intent. However, Ghana found their rhythm after halftime. Still, they had to contend with the absence of key midfielder Thomas Partey, who was unavailable due to visa issues stemming from legal troubles. The match concluded with intense celebrations from Ghana's players and supporters, illustrating the significance of this win, especially with upcoming fixtures against stronger teams in the group, including England, as noted by Reuters and Channel News Asia.