Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo has been named Man of the Match following his influential performance in the Black Stars’ hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panama in their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Although it was young midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi who grabbed the headlines with a dramatic 95th-minute winner, Semenyo’s tireless display throughout the contest earned him the prestigious individual honour as Ghana secured a crucial three points in Group L.
The Black Stars entered the tournament knowing the importance of making a strong start in a difficult group that also includes England and Croatia. Against a determined Panama side, Ghana faced a stern test and were forced to battle for every ball during a tense and closely contested encounter.
Throughout the match, Semenyo emerged as Ghana’s most dangerous attacking weapon.
The Manchester City forward constantly troubled Panama’s defence with his pace, strength and relentless movement. Whether dropping deep to collect possession, driving at defenders, pressing aggressively from the front or creating space for teammates, Semenyo was at the heart of almost everything positive Ghana produced going forward.
His work rate set the tone for the entire team.
When Ghana were under pressure, Semenyo provided an outlet. When the Black Stars needed energy, he delivered it. When Panama attempted to build from the back, he led the press and forced mistakes.
His contribution went far beyond statistics.
While the scoreline may show only one goal, Semenyo’s influence was evident throughout the 90 minutes as he consistently stretched Panama’s defensive line and created opportunities for his teammates to exploit.
The award serves as recognition of a performance built on determination, leadership and sacrifice for the team.
Semenyo’s display was particularly important given the challenges Ghana faced during the game. The Black Stars were dealt an injury setback when goalkeeper Benjamin Asare was forced into action after Lawrence Ati-Zigi suffered an injury. Panama also enjoyed spells of possession and threatened on several occasions, forcing Ghana to remain disciplined defensively.
Despite the pressure, Semenyo never stopped working.
Even deep into stoppage time, the Bournemouth star continued to press and chase lost causes, helping Ghana maintain belief that a breakthrough could still come.
That breakthrough finally arrived in the 95th minute.
A swift Ghanaian counterattack culminated in Caleb Yirenkyi calmly slotting home the winning goal, sparking wild celebrations among players, coaches and supporters.
While Yirenkyi’s historic strike secured the victory and made him Ghana’s youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer, Semenyo’s all-round contribution ensured he walked away with the Man of the Match award.
The recognition continues what has been a remarkable rise for the 26-year-old attacker, who has grown into one of the most important figures in the national team setup.
Having established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting forwards, Semenyo arrived at the World Cup carrying the hopes of many Ghanaian supporters. Against Panama, he showed exactly why he is regarded as one of the leaders of this Black Stars generation.
His performance demonstrated maturity, experience and an unwavering commitment to the national cause.
For Ghana, the victory provides the perfect start to their World Cup campaign and boosts confidence ahead of upcoming group-stage clashes against England and Croatia.
For Semenyo, the Man of the Match award is a deserved reward for an outstanding performance on football’s biggest stage.
The headlines may belong to Caleb Yirenkyi’s dramatic winner, but the night also belonged to Antoine Semenyo — the driving force behind Ghana’s attack and the player whose tireless efforts earned him the first Man of the Match award of the Black Stars’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
