Ghana’s new star Caleb Yirenchi sets World Cup record with stoppage-time winner

Caleb Yirenchi, a 20-year-old Ghanaian midfielder, became the youngest player in World Cup history to score a winning goal in stoppage time. His 95th-minute strike gave Ghana a priceless 1-0 victory over Panama and instantly turned him into a national hero.

The feat came in the early hours of Thursday, after the match on Wednesday night, and was reported on June 18, 2026. At 20 years and 153 days old, Yirenchi broke a historic record while producing the decisive moment for Ghana on the biggest stage.

Before the game, European reports already said several major clubs were tracking him. He plays for Danish side Nordsjaelland, which he joined in 2024, and he is a product of Ghana’s Right to Dream academy, a well-known development pathway to the club. Ghanaian fans had already marked him as a major prospect after strong performances in two appearances at the Kirin Cup last year.

Yirenchi is described as a powerful, technical and versatile player who can operate as a central midfielder or on the wing. Because of his style, he has been compared to Michael Essien, who is now one of his coaches at Nordsjaelland. Yirenchi said of Essien, “He can coach and influence anyone. We learn a lot from him and are grateful to have him with us.” His teammate Prince Amuako Junior called him “a very humble guy” and said, “Caleb is just insane, he is a top player and I tell him that all the time.” With interest from Europe already rising, his price tag is expected to increase ahead of the summer transfer window.