The match looked set to end without goals until deep into stoppage time when Caleb Yirenkyi reacted quickest inside the box and bundled the ball home in the 95th minute. The late strike triggered huge celebrations among Ghanaian fans in the stadium, turning frustration into jubilation in an instant.
The opening half was largely uneventful in front of goal, with Panama actually carving out the clearest early chance when Cecilio Waterman forced Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi into an important save just two minutes in. Ghana, on the other hand, struggled to make an impact offensively and failed to register a shot on target before the break.
Rain began to fall steadily after halftime at the Toronto Stadium, and the tempo improved slightly as both teams pushed forward more often. Panama came close again in the 60th minute when Cristian Martínez unleashed a strike that rippled the side-netting, sparking loud reactions from their supporters.
Despite the increased urgency from both sides, clear chances remained limited as the game drifted toward a draw. Ghana, however, kept pushing until the final moments when Yirenkyi delivered the decisive breakthrough.
Head coach Carlos Queiroz, who only recently took charge of the Black Stars, celebrated passionately after the goal and encouraged the fans behind the team. His appearance at the tournament also marked a notable milestone, making him only the second coach in history to feature in five consecutive World Cups after previous stints with Portugal and Iran.
The match was played in front of nearly 43,000 spectators, with tension rising briefly during a second-half hydration break as rain poured heavily and boos echoed around the stadium.
Ghana managed the win despite the absence of midfielder Thomas Partey, who missed the tournament due to ongoing legal issues in the United Kingdom and related visa restrictions.