Ghana international Antoine Semenyo was named Man-of-the-Match following the Black Stars’ narrow victory over Panama in their 2026 World Cup opener in Toronto.
The West African football powerhouse secured a hard-fought win over their opponent on Wednesday, thanks to Caleb Yirenkyi’s last-gasp strike.
The Black Stars were pushed to their limits by a determined Panama side in Toronto, but the team showed resilience, composure and character to claim all three points in a match that looked destined to end in a goalless draw.
Panama started brightly and caused Ghana several problems in the opening stages. Their attacking intent nearly paid off when they created early chances, but goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi produced a series of important saves to keep the score level. The West Africans struggled to establish control in midfield and found it difficult to create clear-cut opportunities during a tense first half.
Ghana’s task became even more complicated when Ati Zigi was forced off injured after a collision, with Benjamin Asare replacing him for the second half.
Despite the setback, the Black Stars gradually improved after the break, with Semenyo leading the charge through his tireless running, intelligent movement and ability to carry the ball into dangerous areas.
The Manchester City forward consistently troubled the Panamanian defence and was at the heart of Ghana’s attacking play. His influence grew as the match wore on, helping Ghana gain momentum while Panama began to tire. His all-round display ultimately earned him the Man of the Match award.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, it appeared both teams would have to settle for a point. However, Ghana produced one final moment of quality.
Substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante launched a rapid counterattack before delivering a perfectly weighted pass into the penalty area. Arriving at exactly the right moment was Yirenkyi, who calmly slotted the ball home to send the Ghana supporters into wild celebrations. The goal, scored deep into added time, secured a priceless victory and marked the young midfielder’s first competitive international goal for the Black Stars.
The dramatic winner capped a memorable night for the 20-year-old midfielder, who displayed maturity and composure throughout the contest before delivering the decisive moment when his country needed it most.
The victory gives Ghana a perfect start to their World Cup campaign and places them in a strong position in Group L following England’s victory over Croatia. The result also provides a major confidence boost ahead of the Black Stars’ next challenge against England.
While Yirenkyi will rightly grab the headlines for his late heroics, Semenyo’s outstanding display across the 90 minutes proved equally crucial, with the forward’s leadership and relentless work rate helping Ghana stay in the contest before the dramatic breakthrough arrived.
For Ghana, it was a victory built on determination, discipline and belief — qualities that could prove vital as they continue their quest to reach the knockout stages of the tournament.
