Draman and Yirenkyi: The only Black Stars debutants to score on their World Cup debut

Records at the FIFA World Cup are usually reserved for legends, household names and players with years of international experience behind them.

On Wednesday night, June 17, 2026, a 20-year-old making his first appearance at a major tournament forced his way into one of the most exclusive chapters of Ghana's World Cup history.

When Caleb Yirenkyi arrived unmarked at the back post to score Ghana's stoppage-time winner against Panama, he did more than hand the Black Stars three precious points.

He became just the second Ghana player to score on his World Cup debut.

The first was Haminu Draman.

The record has stood since 2006.

2026 FIFA World Cup: Watch highlights of Black Stars’ 95th-minute victory against Panama

Draman's story was brief but unforgettable. After being named on the bench for Ghana's opening two matches against Italy and the Czech Republic, he had to wait for his opportunity.

It finally arrived in the decisive group-stage clash against the United States.

Handed a starting role, Draman needed only 22 minutes to make his mark. His goal put Ghana on course for a famous 2-1 victory that secured qualification to the Round of 16 in the country's maiden World Cup appearance.

For the next 20 years, no Ghana player making his World Cup debut managed to find the net.

Until Yirenkyi.

His breakthrough came under very different circumstances. Making his World Cup debut and playing in the biggest match of his young career, Yirenkyi's evening began nervously.

Just 16 minutes into the contest, the youngster found himself in the referee's notebook.

Around him, Panama were dictating the tempo, forcing Ghana onto the back foot and testing the Black Stars repeatedly.

Many young players would have allowed the occasion to overwhelm them.

Yirenkyi did the opposite.

Slowly, he settled. A tackle here, a pass there. He began demanding the ball, helping Ghana wrestle control of midfield as the game wore on.

By the second half, he looked less like a teenager experiencing his first major tournament and more like a player who belonged on football's grandest stage.

Yet nobody could have predicted what was to come.

As the final seconds of stoppage time drained away, substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante burst into the penalty area and picked out a teammate lurking unmarked at the far post.

That teammate was Yirenkyi.

The finish was not glamorous. It did not need to be. The ball crossed the line, Ghana had their winner, and a new World Cup hero was born.

The moment carried echoes of 2006, when Draman seized his chance against the United States and fired Ghana into the knockout stage.

Twenty years later, another debutant has delivered when his country needed him most.

FKA/JE