Football 2025: Australia's Matildas def Panama 3-2 in second friendly match, score, stats, result, goal scorers, video, highlights, latest news
The central American side, ranked 56th in the world, stunned the World Cup semi-finalists last weekend in Bunbury and were threatening to repeat the feat on Tuesday evening at HBF Park.
That was until two goals from veteran forward Michelle Heyman, both assisted by the excellent Hayley Raso, gave the hosts the lead in more promising signs under new coach Joe Montemurro.
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A clean finish in the 84th minute from Lineth Cedeno saw the Matildas facing the prospect of just one win from their four games in the west against Panama and Slovenia over the last fortnight.
But Grant tapped in the winner early in added time to hand Montemurro and his side a confidence boost heading towards a home Asian Cup, to be held next March.
The Matildas were without some 19 first-choice players including the likes of Teagan Micah, Mackenzie Arnold, Alanna Kennedy, Ellie Carpenter, Steph Catley, Clare Wheeler, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr.
Absences and injuries forced eight changes from the side that lost 1-0 on Saturday with Chloe Lincoln making her starting debut as goalkeeper with returns for Charli Grant and Amy Sayer.
After 34 minutes, a costly turnover from Jessika Nash gave Panama's Ericka Aruaz the chance to send a brilliant strike past Chloe Lincoln for the 1-0 lead.
But in the 55th minute Heyman levelled the scores, tapping in her 32nd career goal for the national side off a Raso assist.
With the Matildas in the ascendancy it wasn't long until Heyman added her 33rd, again combining with Raso to head home a second goal.
Originally published as Late winner saves understrength Matildas in confidence-boosting win over minnows Panama
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