Ghana head coach Carlos Queiroz has hailed the Black Stars’ discipline and tactical awareness after they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening Group L match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto.
The four-time African champions were pushed onto the back foot for much of the contest at BMO Field on Wednesday, with Panama dominating possession and disrupting Ghana’s attempts to build attacking momentum.
Despite the pressure, Queiroz’s side remained patient and stayed committed to their approach. Their resilience paid off deep into stoppage time when Caleb Yirenkyi delivered the decisive strike to hand Ghana a winning start on the global stage.
While celebrating the result, the Portuguese coach acknowledged that his team had to endure long spells of difficulty before creating the opportunity that changed the game.
“We battled like warriors,” Queiroz told ITV during a post-match interview.
“We won the game with our brains. First, we had to suffer against a great team.
“They know how to play. We knew they would control the game. But step by step, our strategy was to let them come. This is the way to win,” he added.
The victory puts Ghana second in Group L, trailing England, who opened their campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia.
Carlos Queiroz and his players now turn their focus to their next challenge, a meeting with England at Boston Stadium on June 23, before facing Croatia in their final group fixture on June 27.
