<p>A stoppage-time strike from midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi sealed all three points for Ghana in a hard-fought contest at Toronto Stadium, giving the West African side a winning start to their World Cup campaign.</p><p>Speaking after the match, Queiroz acknowledged that his side endured a difficult first half against a determined Panama team but commended the players for their resilience and determination to grind out the result.</p><p>"We suffered at times and Panama made things very difficult for us," the Portuguese tactician said. "The first half was not our best, but the players showed character, discipline and belief. At the World Cup, victories come at a high price, and today the players paid that price."</p><p>The Black Stars struggled to create clear-cut chances for much of the match and were forced to remain patient as Panama threatened to frustrate their ambitions. However, Ghana's persistence eventually paid off when substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante provided the assist for Yirenkyi to score the decisive goal in the 95th minute.</p><p>Queiroz described the late winner as a reward for the team's determination and refusal to give up despite the challenges they faced throughout the encounter.</p><p>"The most important thing is that the players never stopped believing," he said. "They continued to fight until the final whistle, and that mentality is essential if we want to achieve something meaningful in this tournament."</p><p>The victory places Ghana alongside England at the top of Group L after the Three Lions defeated Croatia 4-2 earlier in the day. The result also boosts confidence within the Black Stars camp ahead of a highly anticipated clash against England in their next group fixture.</p><p>Match-winner Caleb Yirenkyi emerged as the hero of the night, earning widespread praise after scoring his first World Cup goal for Ghana. The young midfielder's composure in front of goal provided the breakthrough in a match that appeared destined to end in a stalemate.</p><p>With three points secured and momentum on their side, Ghana will now turn their attention to their next challenge as they seek to strengthen their chances of advancing to the knockout stages of the tournament.</p><p><strong>Match Result:</strong> Ghana 1-0 Panama<br><strong>Goal Scorer:</strong> Caleb Yirenkyi (90+5')<br><strong>Competition:</strong> FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group L<br><br>Photo credit: Reuters</p>