Dramatic Late Winner Seals Victory for Ghana in World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

In a thrilling start to their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, Ghana narrowly escaped an upset as Inaki Williams came to the rescue with an injury-time winner against Madagascar. The Black Stars had to dig deep in Kumasi to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

Throughout the match, it seemed like Ghana would be frustrated by the brilliant performance of Melvin Adrien, the goalkeeper for Madagascar. Adrien, who plays in the fourth tier in France, put up a heroic effort, making saves to deny Ghanaian attackers, including Williams, Majeed Ashimeru, and West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus in the second half.

The islanders from Madagascar, who are ranked 48 places below the Black Stars in the world rankings, even had their moments. El Hadary Raheriniaina fired over the crossbar, and a header from captain Njiva Rakotoharimalala struck the right-hand upright, coming agonizingly close to turning the tide in their favor.

However, the late drama unfolded in the 96th minute when Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams rose to the occasion. Williams, who had been a constant threat, powerfully headed in a cross from Gideon Mensah, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and sealing the crucial victory for Ghana.

Managed by Chris Hughton, Ghana had previously featured in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but found themselves as second seeds in Group I behind Mali for the 2026 qualifiers.

In other exciting matches on the African continent, Leicester City striker Patson Daka was the hero for Zambia as they came from behind to defeat Congo 4-2 in their Group E opener in Ndola. Former Rangers forward Fashion Sakala also contributed to Zambia’s victory.

The action didn’t stop there, as there were more wins for Comoros, Guinea, Libya, and Malawi, while Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Tunisia were among the teams in action in additional qualifying ties on Friday.

Africa has secured nine guaranteed spots for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The path to qualification promises more excitement and drama as teams battle it out for their place on the world stage.

Seydouba Cisse’s dramatic injury-time goal gave Guinea a 2-1 victory over Uganda, while Libya started their Group D campaign with a 1-0 away win against Eswatini. Comoros also impressed with a 4-2 victory over Central African Republic in Group I, and Malawi began their journey with a 1-0 away win against Liberia in Group H.

Notably, 17 African nations, including Eswatini and Guinea, have had to play their home qualifiers at neutral grounds due to a lack of international-standard stadiums or safety concerns, adding another layer of intrigue to the competition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

What was the final score in the Ghana vs. Madagascar match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers?

In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Ghana secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Madagascar with an injury-time winner by Inaki Williams.

Who scored the winning goal for Ghana in the match against Madagascar?

Inaki Williams, the forward from Athletic Bilbao, scored the winning goal for Ghana in injury time, sealing their 1-0 victory over Madagascar.

How did Melvin Adrien, the goalkeeper for Madagascar, perform in the match?

Melvin Adrien, despite playing in the fourth tier in France, put up an impressive performance in the match. He made crucial saves to deny Ghanaian attackers, including Williams, Ashimeru, and Kudus in the second half.

Which team is Ghana managed by in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers?

Ghana is managed by Chris Hughton in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

How did other African teams fare in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers mentioned in the article?

Leicester City striker Patson Daka was the hero for Zambia as they came from behind to defeat Congo 4-2. There were also wins for Comoros, Guinea, Libya, and Malawi. Additional qualifying ties involving Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Tunisia also took place on the same day.

How many guaranteed World Cup spots does Africa have for the 2026 tournament?

Africa has secured nine guaranteed spots for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Why did some African nations, including Eswatini and Guinea, have to play their home qualifiers at neutral grounds?

Seventeen African nations, including Eswatini and Guinea, had to play their home qualifiers at neutral grounds due to a lack of international-standard stadiums or safety concerns.

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