Ghana 1-0 Panama: Caleb Yirenkyi strikes late as Black Stars defy odds to open World Cup with a win | OneFootball

Black Stars put bumpy tournament preparations behind them with significant victory

The Black Stars’ build-up to this tournament was unideal, to say the least. Much-maligned former manager Otto Addo was sacked in late March, with the journeyman Carlos Queiroz installed in his stead. His tournament warm-up campaign amounted to a single friendly, a 1-1 draw with Wales, for which many of his key players were absent.

Mission success: Carlos Queiroz

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His action sparked jubilant scenes in one dugout and desolation in the other. The 73-year-old Queiroz raised his arms aloft in celebration and at the full-time whistle, raced onto the pitch to celebrate with the travelling support.

"First we had to suffer, we battled like warriors,” Queiroz told ITV Sport. “We won the game with the brains.

What it means: Ghana celebrate victory over Panama

His opposite number Thomas Christiansen, meanwhile, was the picture of frustration after his side were cruelly denied a first point at the World Cup finals. Their debut in 2018 ended pointless, and the main goal for the 2026 edition is to at least get on the board, which will be a struggle in subsequent matches against Croatia and England.

It was a cruel finish for Panama, who enjoyed the majority of the possession, shots and territory but could not get the better of Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the Ghana net.

Ghana also played the match without the services of Thomas Partey, who was denied a Canadian visa due to his outstanding rape charges in the United Kingdom, which he is continuing to fight in court, having pleaded not guilty.

Ghana will face England in Boston as they look to keep this good thing going, while Panama head north to Toronto to meet Croatia.