Asamoah Gyan scored penalty against Germany during the 2014 World Cup
GhanaWeb Feature by William Darkwa Nimo
England’s glittering superstars rose to the occasion and swaggered their way to a dominant 4-2 win over Croatia, while Ghana's opening night in Toronto was a unexpectedly unglamorous grind.
The Black Stars looked ordinary, needing a dramatic 95th-minute tap-in from Caleb Yirenkyi to escape Panama with a narrow 1-0 win. The football world, as a result, have already written the script for Group L matchday two fixtures and it does not favor Carlos Queiroz’s men.
But underestimating Ghana is a historical mistake, especially when matchday two rolls around.
2026 FIFA World Cup: Watch highlights of Black Stars’ 95th-minute victory against Panama
The Black Stars have built a legendary World Cup reputation on turning their second group games into absolute blockbusters.
History shows that when the stakes are raised on matchday two, Ghana finds an entirely different gear.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit what exactly transpired during every one of the Black Stars’ iconic second game at the FIFA World Cup.
Germany 2006: The Cologne Miracle — (Czech Republic 0-2 Ghana)
After falling 2-0 to the Azzurri of Italy in their Group E opener, the Black Stars bounced back with a stunning victory against a Czech Republic side ranked second in the FIFA world rankings before the tournament, behind only five-time world champions Brazil.
Asamoah Gyan fired Ghana ahead after just 70 seconds, capitalising on Tomas Ujfalusi’s mistake to give the debutants an electric start. That goal, timed at one minute and ten seconds, was one of the fastest at the Germany 2006 tournament.
Ujfalusi compounded his nightmare afternoon by bringing down Matthew Amoah in the penalty box and was sent for an early shower, but Gyan could not capitalise from the spot, striking the post to the relief of Petr Cech.
Despite the Chelsea shot-stopper’s best efforts to keep the Black Stars at bay, he was finally beaten a second time when Sulley Muntari rounded off a brilliant team move in the 82nd minute to seal a historic win — Ghana’s first ever at the FIFA World Cup.
South Africa 2010: Holding the Line in Rustenburg — (Ghana 1-1 Australia)
Unlike the turbulent start in Germany, the Black Stars arrived at their second World Cup on a high, having beaten Serbia 1-0 in their Group D opener courtesy of Asamoah Gyan’s penalty. Australia, by contrast, had just been humiliated 4-0 by Germany and were desperate for points.
Injuries to John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah forced coach Milovan Rajevac into a reshuffle, pairing the inexperienced Lee Addy and Jonathan Mensah at centre-back. The Socceroos took full advantage of the disruption, with Brett Holman putting them ahead in the 11th minute.
The turning point came in the 24th minute when Harry Kewell blocked Jonathan Mensah’s goal-bound strike with his hand — a move that saw the Galatasaray forward sent off. Gyan stepped up and converted from the spot to restore parity, but despite their numerical advantage, Ghana could not find a winner and had to settle for the draw.
Brazil 2014: The Epic in Fortaleza — (Germany 2-2 Ghana)
Having fallen to the United States in their group opener, a result that shocked many Ghanaians, given the Black Stars impressive record against the US at their two previous World Cup appearances, Coach Kwasi Appiah’s side needed a response against the Germans.
They provided one, and what a response it was. Mario Götze gave Joachim Löw’s side the lead in the 51st minute, but Ghana roared back with two goals in nine breathtaking minutes to turn the game on its head. Harrison Afful’s cross was nodded home by André Ayew to level score, before Sulley Muntari released Asamoah Gyan through on goal with an inch-perfect pass, and Gyan finished coolly past Manuel Neuer to give the Black Stars the lead.
With Germany staring in the face of another second-game defeat at the World Cup, Löw reached out to his bench and introduced Miroslav Klose. The veteran Lazio striker needed just 112 seconds to level proceedings — and in doing so, equaled Ronaldo’s all-time record of 15 World Cup goals. It was cruel for Ghana, but that draw against the eventual world champions remains one of the Black Stars’ finest World Cup performances.
Qatar 2022: The Al Rayyan goal fest — (South Korea 2-3 Ghana)
After a spirited but ultimately painful 3-2 defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in their Group H opener, the Black Stars had their backs against the wall heading into their second fixture. A win was not just desired — it was essential.
Mohammed Salisu, then of Southampton, gave Ghana the lead in the 24th minute after pouncing on a loose ball in the Korean box. Mohammed Kudus doubled the advantage in less than 10 minutes, flicking on Jordan Ayew’s cross with precision, as Otto Addo’s side went into the half-time break with a two-goal cushion.
Korea Republic came out transformed in the second half. Paulo Bento’s side levelled the score through two thunderous headers from Cho Gue-sung in quick succession — a moment that briefly silenced the Ghanaian crowd. But Kudus was not done yet, the then Ajax forward thumped home his second of the evening to restore Ghana’s lead, sending the Ghanaian supporters at the Education City Stadium into delirium. The Black Stars held on despite sustained pressure from South Korea in the dying embers of the game — including a nerve-wracking ten minutes of added time that felt like eternity for the Black Stars fans.
Canada, Mexico & USA 2026 — England vs Ghana? (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts)
Having shone a light on Ghana’s second-game record across four World Cup appearances — with Russia 2018 being the only occasion the Black Stars failed to qualify for the tournament since making their debut in 2006 — the pattern is undeniable. Ghana have not lost a single second game at the FIFA World Cup. Not once. And now, England come next.
Thomas Tuchel’s side enter the game as overwhelming favourites, boasting the firepower of Harry Kane and the tactical pedigree of a manager who has led teams to Champions League finals. Carlos Queiroz’s Black Stars, ranked 74th in the world, will be under no illusions about the scale of the challenge. But history, quiet and stubborn, will be riding alongside them. On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Boston Stadium, Ghana will have one clear mission: protect the record by every means.
Watch as Ghanaians jubilate massively after Black Stars win over Panama
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