* Midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi struck deep into stoppage time to hand the Black Stars the win after Panama looked capable of frustrating them for long periods
* As DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa’s header deep into first-half stoppage time cancelled Portugal’s early breakthrough in the 6th minute
Maravi Express
Moments of brilliance lit up Africa’s representatives at the FIFA World Cup™ 2026 that saw Ghana snatch a dramatic victory over Panama while DR Congo, making their second appearance at the global stage since 1974, drew with highly-fancied Portugal.
When the clock ticked past 95 minutes and Ghana’s World Cup opener appeared destined to end in frustration, Caleb Yirenkyi produced the moment that transformed anxiety into celebration.
The young midfielder struck deep into stoppage time to hand the Black Stars the dramatic win in their opening Group L encounter after Panama looked capable of frustrating them for long periods — giving Ghana a priceless three points and an early boost in the race for qualification.
Panama looked capable of even stealing a victory of their own but instead, it was coach Carlos Queiroz’s side’s persistence, defensive discipline and refusal to settle for a draw were rewarded with the winning goal — putting Ghana level on points with England-who-defeated-Croatia-4-2.
Panama started brightly and created the first clear opportunity of the contest when Amir Murillo delivered a dangerous low cross into the penalty area where Cecilio Waterman met it first time, but goalkeeper Benjamin Asare reacted superbly to produce a fine diving save.
The Ghana defence was tested again shortly afterwards when a poor punch from Asare fell kindly to Jiovany Ramos. The Panamanian defender had time and space but failed to punish Ghana, sending his effort over the crossbar.
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Despite enjoying less possession, Ghana gradually settled into the match and began searching for opportunities on the counter-attack. The encounter developed into a tactical battle, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances in the final third.
Panama enjoyed long spells of possession and finished with a significant advantage in ball control, but Ghana’s defensive organisation ensured that dangerous openings remained limited.
A major moment arrived at half-time when first-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was forced off through injury. His replacement, Benjamin Asare, stepped into the spotlight and delivered a composed performance under pressure — making the Hearts of Oak goalkeeper to become the first goalkeeper playing in the Ghana Premier League to feature for the Black Stars at a FIFA World Cup.
The second half followed a similar pattern: Cristian Martinez came close for Panama after creating space for himself inside the area, only to fire into the side netting.
Recognising the need for greater attacking thrust, coach Queiroz introduced fresh legs shortly before the hour mark and the changes immediately injected energy into Ghana’s attack as one of those substitutes, Brandon Thomas-Asante, almost made an instant impact.
Bursting down the right flank, he squared perfectly for Jordan Ayew, only for Ramos to recover brilliantly and make a goal-saving intervention and as the match entered its final stages, both teams appeared increasingly willing to accept a point.
Yet Ghana continued to probe and ask questions of a tiring Panama defence before the decisive moment in minutes of added time, when Thomas-Asante surged forward once more, driving aggressively into the penalty area before showing remarkable composure to pick out Yirenkyi with a precise pass.
The midfielder made no mistake. Arriving at the perfect moment, Yirenkyi calmly guided the ball into the net to score the goal and spark scenes of jubilation among the Ghana players, coaching staff and supporters inside Toronto Stadium.
The goal was a cruel blow for Panama, who had defended resolutely throughout the contest and were seconds away from securing a valuable point. But for Ghana, however, it was a reward for perseverance and belief.
Beyond the three points, the Black Stars will also draw encouragement from their defensive resilience, the impact of their substitutes and the growing maturity shown under Queiroz.
Attention now turns to a highly anticipated showdown against England, a match that could go a long way towards deciding qualification from Group L. If Ghana can show the same determination they displayed in Toronto, they will travel into that contest full of confidence.
The Black Stars may have left it late, but their World Cup campaign is off to the perfect start while DR Congo — with more than five decades after their last appearance on football’s biggest stage — marked their return with a performance that sent a powerful message to the rest of the tournament.
The Leopards refused to be intimidated by European giants Portugal, battling back from an early setback to earn a deserved 1-1 draw in their opening Group K match at Houston’s NRG Stadium.
Many expected Roberto Martinez’s star-studded Portuguese side to begin their campaign with victory, but Sébastien Desabre’s disciplined and courageous team produced one of Africa’s most impressive displays of the opening round.
It was a result built on resilience, tactical organisation and belief, with Yoane Wissa’s first-half equaliser cancelling out João Neves’ early breakthrough for Portugal.
The match could hardly have started worse for the Congolese as Portugal struck after just six minutes when Pedro Neto delivered an inviting cross and João Neves timed his run perfectly to glance a header beyond Lionel Mpasi-Nzau.
The early goal threatened to derail DR Congo’s long-awaited World Cup return, but the Leopards responded with remarkable composure. In fact, it was the African side who soon began asking questions of Portugal’s defence.
Yoane Wissa flashed an effort narrowly wide before Cedric Bakambu forced the Portuguese backline into action as the Leopards gradually grew into the contest.
Portugal continued to enjoy possession and looked dangerous through Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo, but DR Congo’s midfield, led by the energetic Edo Kayembe, steadily wrestled momentum away from their opponents.
Their reward arrived at the perfect moment when deep into first-half stoppage time, Arthur Masuaku delivered a superb cross into the penalty area and Wissa rose highest to power home an unstoppable header that sparked wild celebrations among the Congolese players and supporters.
The equaliser transformed the atmosphere and gave DR Congo renewed confidence heading into the second half in which Portugal attempted to reassert their authority after the restart and briefly thought they had restored their lead when João Cancelo found the net with a spectacular effort. However, the celebrations were cut short as VAR confirmed an offside infringement.
The Leopards remained disciplined and compact, frustrating Portugal’s attacking stars and preventing them from finding any sustained rhythm with Cristiano Ronaldo twice coming close to making the difference, but the veteran forward was repeatedly denied by determined Congolese defending and his own wayward finishing.
As frustration grew among the Portuguese ranks, DR Congo began to sense an opportunity. The best chance of the second half fell to Bakambu in the 76th minute following a lightning counter-attack involving substitute Noah Sadiki.
The experienced striker found himself in a promising position but lifted his effort over the crossbar. For a brief moment, the Leopards could almost dream of an even bigger upset.
The closing stages developed into a fierce battle as Portugal pushed forward desperately in search of a winner. Yet Chancel Mbemba, Steve Kapuadi and the rest of the Congolese defence stood firm, repelling wave after wave of pressure.
Even Bruno Fernandes’ late attempt drifted harmlessly wide as the Leopards held on for a memorable point.
Zaire at the World Cup 1974
Fifty-two years after their only previous World Cup appearance, DR Congo have returned not merely to participate but to compete. For African football, the performance was another reminder of the continent’s growing strength at the expanded 2026 tournament.
For the Leopards, it was proof that they belong among the world’s elite. With upcoming Group K matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia still to come, DR Congo have given themselves a genuine platform to dream of the knockout stages.—Reporting by CAFonline; editing by Maravi Express
Group stage results
Group A
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
South Korea 2-1 Czechia
Group B
Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
Group C
Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Haiti 0-1 Scotland
Group D
USA 4-1 Paraguay
Australia 2-0 Turkiye
Group E
Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 Ecuador
Germany 7-1 Curacao
Group F
Netherlands 2-2 Japan
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia
Group G
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Iran 2-2 New Zealand
Group H
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay
Group I
France 3-1 Senegal
Iraq 1-4 Norway
Group J
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Austria 3-1 Jordan
Group K
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia
Group L
England 4-2 Croatia
Ghana 1-0 Panama
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