
Queiroz Highlights Ghana's Expensive World Cup Victory
June 19, 2026 · Victor Navarro
Carlos Queiroz emphasizes the high stakes of winning in the World Cup after Ghana's dramatic victory over Panama, highlighting the team's readiness to face challenges.
Carlos Queiroz expressed that victories in the World Cup come at a high cost, but his Ghanaian squad is prepared to meet these challenges head-on. In their opening Group L match, Ghana secured a thrilling 1-0 win against Panama, thanks to a remarkable 95th-minute goal by Caleb Yirenkyi. This goal marked the latest scored by Ghana in a World Cup match, excluding extra time, and Yirenkyi, at 20 years and 153 days, became the second-youngest scorer for the Black Stars in tournament history. Ghana also achieved its third-ever World Cup clean sheet, breaking a 10-match streak without one.
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Queiroz described the match as "tough and intensive," acknowledging the high price of victory. "Panama played smart and fast," he noted, praising his players' concentration and perseverance. "We are growing as a team, and with the style of football we play, you can count on Ghana to make an impact," he stated.
Panama, still seeking their first World Cup point, showed resilience by not conceding a shot until the 48th minute. Head coach Thomas Christiansen believed Panama deserved more from the match and emphasized the need for a strong performance against Croatia. "The result is painful because we deserved better," Christiansen remarked. "Mistakes are costly at the World Cup, and we must learn from them. We will not hold back against Croatia; we aim to show that Panama is a formidable opponent."
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