Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has paid tribute to his players' fighting spirit, declaring that the Black Stars battled like warriors to grind out a hard-won 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage fixture.

The match was a tense, grinding affair against a disciplined and well-organised Panama side — but Ghana held their nerve and were rewarded deep into stoppage time.

Yirenkyi's last-gasp tap-in seals it

Substitute Caleb Yirenkyi was the hero, converting a sweeping counterattack with a tap-in in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to send Ghana's fans into raptures and secure all three points.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, Queiroz explained the tactical thinking behind a performance that required patience and resilience in equal measure.