Ghana Beats Panama 1-0 on 95th-Minute Goal as Fans Boo Hydration Breaks

Q: Why did Panama’s record possession yield zero goals and a heartbreaking last-minute defeat to Ghana?

Panama had the ball, but not the cutting edge. Their 62% possession and record 502 completed passes showed control of territory, not control of the penalty area. They moved the ball well but created few high-quality chances, and when openings did come, they were either rushed or poorly finished. The clearest warning sign came in the second minute, when Cecilio Waterman’s first-time effort was saved by Lawrence Ati Zigi. After that, Panama’s pressure rarely became decisive end product. Cristian Martínez hit the side-netting, Jiovany Ramos missed narrowly, and late efforts from Ismael Díaz lacked enough power to trouble Ghana’s replacement goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, who made three important second-half saves after coming on at halftime. Ghana’s approach also explains the result. Under Carlos Queiroz, they were compact, patient and willing to concede possession, then attack in transition. Ghana were blunt for long stretches and did not register a first-half shot on target, but they stayed organized, survived Panama’s best moments, and waited for a counterattacking opening. That opening came in stoppage time. With Panama pushed up, substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante broke free on the counter and squared for Caleb Yirenkyi to score from close range at 94:04. So the match turned on efficiency: Panama’s possession was sterile, while Ghana made their one decisive late attack count.

Q: Was Ghana’s dramatic victory a sign of resilience or a lucky escape hiding deeper team weaknesses?

Ghana’s 1-0 win looked more like a resilient result built on survival than a fully convincing performance, and it also exposed real weaknesses that stronger opponents could punish. The resilience was clear. Ghana were missing key players, including Mohammed Kudus, while Thomas Partey was unavailable and several others were injured. They also lost goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi at halftime, yet still kept a clean sheet. Substitute Benjamin Asare made important saves, and Carlos Queiroz’s side stayed alive long enough to strike in stoppage time. That ability to absorb pressure and take the decisive moment fits the pragmatic, defense-first approach Queiroz is trying to install. But the match also underlined deeper concerns. Panama had 62% possession, completed a World Cup-record 502 passes for their team, and created the better openings. Ghana did not manage a shot on target in the first half, and their first serious effort came only after the break. For long stretches, the attack lacked cohesion despite the presence of Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew. The winner came from a late counter rather than sustained control. So the fairest reading is that it was both: a valuable sign of resilience in difficult circumstances, but also a lucky escape that masked attacking bluntness and limited control. Against Panama, Ghana got away with it. Against England or even Croatia, repeating this level of performance would be far riskier.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 18

Caleb Yirenkyi scored from three yards in the 95th minute to give Ghana a 1-0 Group L win over Panama in Toronto, the latest winning goal at this World Cup so far.
A poor-quality match produced few clear chances: Ghana had just 0.24 expected goals before the closing minutes, with only two of seven shots on target before the winner.
Brandon Thomas-Asante created the goal with a run and low ball across the face of goal, and Yirenkyi's mishit finish still looped in to rescue an otherwise wasteful Ghana display.
Rain fell throughout at BMO Field, yet first- and second-half hydration breaks drew boos from the crowd; FIFA said attendance was 42,942, only 94 short of capacity.
The result puts Ghana level on points in Group L, but the performance suggested England and Croatia — after England's 4-2 win earlier — have little immediate reason for concern.