Toronto: A dramatic 95th-minute winner from striker Caleb Yirenkyi steered Ghana to a thrilling 1-0 victory over Panama in their FIFA World Cup Group L opening match at BMO Field.

The contest appeared entirely destined to end in a goalless stalemate after a gruelling tactical battle in heavy Canadian rain. Panama dictated much of the tempo and controlled 62 per cent of the total possession, yet they failed to find a clinical breakthrough against a disciplined Ghanaian backline.

It was a frustrating opening period for both sides, with clear-cut chances at a premium. Ghana's brightest attacking spark arrived when Antoine Semenyo drifted from wide areas into a central playmaker role to orchestrate the Black Stars' forward surges. However, Panama posed a persistent threat to the counter-attack. In the 61st minute, Panama midfielder Cristian Martínez missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock, latching onto a loose ball only to smash his effort into the side netting.

The match experienced a significant logistical setback at the interval. Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi sustained an injury during the first half, forcing head coach Otto Addo to substitute him for Benjamin Asare ahead of the second-half restart.

Ghana slowly grew into the game as the final whistle loomed. In the 68th minute, Semenyo whipped a dangerous first-time ball across the face of the six-yard box, but Jordan Ayew was inches away from converting at the back post. Addo then injected fresh energy into his frontline, introducing Brandon Thomas-Asante and Prince Adu.

The tactical gambit paid dividends five minutes into stoppage time. Thomas-Asante initiated a rapid counter-attack down the left wing, evading his marker before delivering an incredibly precise low cross into the penalty area. Yirenkyi reacted quickest, bundling the ball home from very close range into the top-right corner to spark wild celebrations among the Ghanaian contingent.

Frustration boiled over for Panama in the final seconds of the game. Deep into the ten minutes of added time, Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera ventured into the opposing box for a late corner, but his subsequent shot lacked the necessary power to trouble Asare. Seconds later, Panama's Carlos Harvey was shown a yellow card for a cynical foul, effectively ending any hopes of a late equaliser and cementing a vital three points for Ghana.