Ghana’s fans and players celebrated enthusiastically when Caleb Yirenkyi concluded a sweeping move with a tap-in goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, giving the squad a last-gasp triumph over Panama in both teams’ first World Cup match in wet Toronto.
The Group L match ended in a 1-0 triumph on Wednesday after a clash ensued before the referee blew the final whistle.
Brandon Thomas-Asante pushed the ball into the 18-yard box down the left flank and rolled a pass into the middle for Yirenkyi to reroute into the net after Ghana had moved the play from their own half.
The peaceful first half was completely different from the second.
Although the teams accelerated in the second half, there were little opportunities to score until the pivotal play.
Before halftime, Panama was the better team, but after the break, Ghana controlled more of the action.
The game was seen as a pivotal encounter between clubs anticipated to compete for third place in Group L.
Earlier on Wednesday, the favourites in the group, England, overcame Croatia 4-2.
FIFA placed England in fourth place at the beginning of the competition, Croatia in eleventh, Panama in thirty-four, and Ghana in seventy-three.
Lawrence Ati Zigi, the Ghanaian custodian, was called upon in the second minute to dive to his right to block Cecilio Waterman’s 15-yard volley attempt.
In the 38th minute, Panama had another missed opportunity. A jumping punch was used by Ati Zigi to clear a cross. Jiovany Ramos of Panama received the ball and clipped his 14-yard right-footed shot wide to the right.
Benjamin Asare took over in goal at halftime after Ati Zigi was substituted due to an injury.
Ghana is the first team in this year’s World Cup to try no shots during the first half. In the 48th minute, Orlando Mosquera of Panama blocked a header from Jonas Adjetey to break the drought.
Thomas Partey, a midfielder for Ghana, was missing because he was refused a visa to enter Canada because he was facing sexual assault accusations in the United Kingdom.
The charges have been refuted by him. Partey will be eligible for Ghana’s two remaining group matches, both of which will take place in the United States.
Ghana has participated in the World Cup five times in the last six editions, with their best performance coming in the quarterfinals in 2010.
After losing all three of their group-stage games in 2018, Panama is only participating in their second World Cup.
On Tuesday, both teams will play again: Panama will play Croatia in Toronto, while Ghana will play England in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Source: newsthemegh.com