The Black Stars have quickly turned their attention to a crucial showdown against England after opening their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama.
Ghana secured all three points in their Group L opener thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Caleb Yirenkyi, who converted Brandon Thomas-Asante’s assist in the 95th minute to seal a memorable victory.
While the late goal sparked celebrations among Ghanaian supporters, forward Antoine Semenyo has warned against complacency, insisting the team remains focused on the challenges that lie ahead.
Speaking after the match, Semenyo acknowledged the significance of the win but stressed that the Black Stars must remain grounded as they prepare for one of their toughest tests of the tournament.
“We know it’s going to be a tough game,” he said in reference to the upcoming clash against England.
“We feel like we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. We know we want to win that game. But we know it’s not going to be easy.
“So we have to make sure we recover well and make sure we train well leading up to that weekend.”
England also began their World Cup campaign on a winning note, defeating Croatia 4-2 to set up what could prove to be a decisive encounter in the race for qualification from Group L.
Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz praised his players for their resilience and determination against Panama, describing the performance as a display of courage and tactical discipline.
“The players fought like warriors. To win at this level, you must sacrifice. A win at this World Cup is very expensive,” the Portuguese coach said.
Queiroz added that his side remained composed despite the challenges posed by Panama and deserved their late breakthrough.
“We battled like warriors and came back and won with brains,” he stated.
The victory places Ghana in a strong position heading into the second round of group matches, but the focus within the camp has already shifted to England, with players and coaches aware that another positive result could significantly boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages.
Following the England encounter in Boston, Ghana will conclude their Group L campaign against Croatia as they seek a place in the next round of the tournament.
