Queiroz's first step succeeded, the "black stars" want to race back to the big stage

The famous Carlos Queiroz took over Ghana ahead of the World Cup, with the aim of putting a team that had not even qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations back on the world football map.

After the victory over Panama at the start of the World Cup, his mission takes on some meaning.

The "Black Stars" defeated Panama 1-0 in a rain-soaked Toronto match in the first round of Group L, thanks to a close-range goal by Nordsjælland striker Kaleb Jirenki in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the second half.

Jirenki crowned a quick counterattack and after a cross from Coventry's Thomas Asante from the left, gave Ghana a victory that brings them closer to the second stage.

Toronto saw perhaps the weakest match of the World Cup so far - with a lot of fighting, little quality, and the ball being more in the air than on the ground.

If it weren't for Jirenki's goal and Queiroz's run towards the fans, the match would have been forgotten immediately after the final whistle.

Panama, who are chasing their first World Cup victory in their second World Cup (after 2018), were the better opponent in the first half, while Ghana took a little more control of the game in the second half.

The match was considered one of the key duels in the battle for third place in Group L, where England had defeated Croatia 4:2 earlier in the day in a clash of the group's main favorites.

At the start of the tournament, FIFA ranked England fourth, Croatia 11th, Panama 34th, and Ghana 73rd.

Both teams play their next matches on Tuesday. Ghana will face England in Boston, Massachusetts, while Panama will play Croatia, also in Toronto.