Ghana 1-0 Panama
by James Nalton 
at Toronto Stadium

JUST as it looked like the supporters would be the stars of the show between England’s two World Cup group rivals, a single goal transformed an otherwise unremarkable game into a memorable one for Ghana.

Panama fans filled the streets of Toronto before the game, marching en masse to the match.

Ahead of kick-off, they sang a rousing rendition of “Patria” (homeland), a song by anti-imperialist activist and singer Ruben Blades, who has railed against US intervention in Latin America. Panamanians have adopted it as a national anthem of sorts.

It’s a moment that likely wouldn’t have happened were this game held in the US, where Blades’ songs were boycotted by commercial radio for 15 years, but the DJ in Toronto chose the perfect song to set the tone for a great atmosphere.

Ghana fans were fewer in number but matched their opponent’s noise levels. A group stationed across a couple of blocks in the uncovered stand at one end of the Toronto Stadium played music and danced throughout the whole game, even as the rain began to fall early in the first half.

Up to this point, the only 0-0 at this World Cup was Spain versus Cape Verde. Despite its goalless status, that was one of the games of the tournament as the African island nation held on for a heroic, historic result against one of the tournament favourites.

This game between Ghana and Panama wasn’t so high on a Games of the Tournament list. Indeed, it was taking its place at the opposite end of this scale before the second half saw the entertainment levels gradually improve, even if the quality of the football didn’t, as both teams decided they wanted, or needed, to win.

Despite some exciting end-to-end play, a second 0-0 of the tournament looked likely to be on the cards. This made the winning goal, when it arrived via 20-year-old midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi in the fifth minute of added time, all the more dramatic.

Ghana fans popped up all around the stadium in celebration, highly visible in their bright yellow shirts, and highly audible. Some players collapsed to the turf in jubilation as the final whistle went. Manager Carlos Queiroz darted over to pay tribute to Ghana fans, belying his 73 years.

It was a reaction more akin to a win in a big knockout game than an opening match of the group stage, but the fans and players realised its importance in attempting to qualify for the World Cup knockout rounds.