Ghana wins in ultimate stoppage time; Panama continues to wait for its first World Cup point
A late goal from Caleb Yirenkyi gives Ghana three points against Panama, which is still waiting for its first point at a World Cup.
Ghana struck against Panama in deep injury time. Caleb Yirenkyi was crowned match winner and thus kept Panama's very first World Cup point off the books.
For Ghana, former PSV and AZ defender Derrick Luckassen started on the bench. The biggest name on the Ghanaian side was Manchester City striker Antoine Semenyo, but despite the bigger names, Ghana achieved little in the first half. In fact, the best chances were for Panama. Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi made a good save from a bet by Cecilio Waterman and kept his team going.
After the break the picture changed partly due to a collision in which Ati Zigi could not continue. His replacement Benjamin Asare then saw a completely different match. Both teams realized that in a group with England and Croatia, three points were crucial, which opened up the game.
Panama was dangerous through Cristian Martínez, who shot into the side net. On the other side, Jiovany Ramos prevented Jordan Ayew's opening goal with a great tackle. Moments later, Ramos himself appeared in front of the Ghanaian goal and shot narrowly wide.
The storm then subsided somewhat. A drinks break in the pouring rain slowed the pace of the match and a goal seemed out of the question. The score seemed to be 0-0, until the decision was made in ample injury time.
In a lightning-fast counter, Semenyo played the ball to Brandon Thomas-Asante, who found Yirenkyi. The talented midfielder remained cool and finished: 1-0. This immediately made him the hero of his country.
Ghana takes three valuable points and takes a step towards the next round. For Panama, which was so close to a historic first World Cup point, qualification now seems a lot further away.
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