Panama came very close to making history on the World Cup stage. Until the final moments of the match, they held off the strong African side Ghana and dreamed of their first World Cup point. But football’s cruel reality shattered that dream with the last attack of stoppage time.
In the Group L match in Toronto, Ghana won 1-0 through Caleb Yerenki’s goal in the 95th minute. The African side, back at a World Cup after eight years, began their campaign with a dramatic win.
Panama controlled much of the match. Along with holding 62 percent of possession, they took 11 shots. Ghana, by contrast, took only eight. But despite creating chances, the Central American side could not find a goal.
One of the main reasons for Panama’s frustration was Ghana’s substitute goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare. Coming on after the break, he made one important save after another. He kept the team in the match in particular by turning away two shots from inside the box. Asare came on for first-choice goalkeeper Ati-Zigi, who left the field after taking a knock in several collisions in the first half.
Panama created the first notable chance of the match. In the second minute, Ati-Zigi brilliantly stopped a shot from Cecilio Waterman following a low cross by Amir Murillo.
Just as it seemed the match was heading for a goalless draw, the dramatic moment arrived. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Brandon Thomas-Asante advanced down the left and squared the ball across the goalmouth. There, the alert Caleb Yerenki turned it home from close range to give Ghana a precious three points.
Ghana took the field without midfielder Thomas Partey. The player, who is accused of rape, could not join the squad after failing to obtain a Canadian visa.
In the end, Panama had to leave the pitch empty-handed despite their dominance, while Ghana celebrated thanks to the last-minute goal.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report