Read Carlos Queiroz’s victory speech after Panama win

Ghana head coach, Carlos Queiroz, has lauded his players for their resilience and tactical discipline following the Black Stars' dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A stoppage-time strike from Caleb Yirenkyi at Toronto Stadium secured all three points for Ghana in Group L, despite Panama dominating possession and creating the better chances for much of the contest.

Speaking to ITV after the game, Queiroz said his side's patience and tactical awareness proved decisive.

“We battled like warriors,” the Portuguese coach said.

“We won the game with our brains. First, we had to suffer against a great team. They know how to play. We knew they would control the game, but step by step, our strategy was to let them come. This is the way to win,” he stated.

The Black Stars struggled to impose themselves in the first half, failing to register a single shot on target while managing just 35 percent possession before the break.

1 Win, 3 Defeats: Black Stars’ World Cup opening game history

Panama, by contrast, controlled 65 percent of the ball and looked the more threatening side throughout large spells of the match.

Despite the pressure, Ghana remained organized and executed their game plan to perfection, snatching a late winner to claim a crucial victory.

The victory marks a winning start to the World Cup campaign for Queiroz and places Ghana in a strong position in Group L.

The Black Stars currently sit second in the group behind England, who recorded a 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening match.

Ghana will next face England on June 23, 2026, in a highly anticipated clash, while Panama will be aiming to revive their campaign when they take on Croatia.