The whole country suffered, and silence took over the public spaces in Panama when the national team lost 0-1 to Ghana today in their debut in the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A last-minute goal by Caleb Yirenkyi dashed the hopes of thousands of fans who, as the match neared its end at Toronto\u2019s stadium in Canada, had at least dreamed of a draw and advancing from Group L, which also includes Croatia and England, the overwhelming favorites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The team managed by the Spanish-Danish coach Thomas Christiansen enjoyed more possession and created more chances during the more than 90 minutes on the pitch, but failed to find the net.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The match began exactly as Panama had planned, attacking the spaces and applying high pressure. Just two minutes in, Cecilio Waterman had the first shot on goal, but goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi (FC St. Gallen) was well positioned to make the save.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Panamanians also displayed enviable tactical discipline and a clear desire to attack. They even came out with the intention of unsettling their African opponents and created danger down the wings with Cecilio Waterman and his wingers Jos\u00e9 Luis Rodr\u00edguez and Edgar Yoel B\u00e1rcenas, who kept the Ghanaian defense on its toes for much of the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In midfield, Cristian Mart\u00ednez had the clearest chance: a scoring opportunity that went just wide of the net and, had it gone in, would have completely changed the course of the game, according to analysts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
La Roja managed to hold onto a scoreless draw practically until the end, showing defensive solidity against a top-tier opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, in stoppage time, when a draw seemed inevitable, a lapse in marking allowed Yirenkyi to appear and score, giving Ghana the victory just before the final whistle, in a play that abruptly ended Panama\u2019s hopes of earning their first-ever point in a World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Panama will now turn its attention to Croatia for the second match of this group stage. The game will be played this Tuesday, June 23, also at Toronto\u2019s stadium.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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