Ghana Wins at the Death, Cannavaro Disappointed

The Ghana national football team began their World Cup campaign in the United States, Canada, and Mexico with a narrow 1-0 victory over Panama in Toronto. The decisive goal came in the dying moments of the match, securing a crucial three points for the African side.

In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Caleb Yirenki scored the winning goal following a swift counter-attack. Brandon Thomas-Asante made a run down the wing, beat Panama's Jose Cordoba, and delivered a cross to the 20-year-old Yirenki, who slotted the ball into an empty net. Ghana's Portuguese coach, Carlos Queiroz, described the win as a hard-fought battle, stating, "We suffered in the opening match, but we fought like true warriors. We knew the Panamanians wanted to control the game. We let them have the initiative, which was part of our strategy, and in the crucial moments of the match, we seized our opportunity."

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We suffered in the opening match, but we fought like true warriors. We knew the Panamanians wanted to control the game. We let them have the initiative, which was part of our strategy, and in the crucial moments of the match, we seized our opportunity.

In another Group L fixture, Colombia secured a 3-1 win against newcomers Uzbekistan in Mexico City. Daniel Munoz opened the scoring for Colombia just before halftime. Uzbekistan equalized in the 60th minute through Abosbek Fajzulajev, but Colombia quickly regained the lead via their star player Luis Diaz five minutes later. Jaminton Campaz sealed the victory with a goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

Uzbekistan's coach, Fabio Cannavaro, expressed pride in his team's performance despite the loss. "We played an excellent game, and at this level of competition, any mistake can be fatal. Nevertheless, we tried to play our game, and I am truly proud of my players. Perhaps we deserved more, but that's football," Cannavaro said. Ghana now sits level with England on points at the top of Group L.

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We played an excellent game, and at this level of competition, every mistake can be fatal. Nevertheless, we tried to play our game, and I am truly proud of my players. Perhaps we deserved more, but that's football.