Late winner saves understrength Matildas in confidence-boosting win over minnows Panama

Australia’s Matildas have avoided a second disastrous defeat to lowly Panama, with a stoppage-time winner from Charli Grant giving the hosts a 3-2 win.

Australia’s Matildas have avoided a second disastrous defeat to lowly Panama, with a stoppage-time winner from Charli Grant giving the hosts a 3-2 win.

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.

Cedeno squares it up for Panama 🚀

Lineth Cedeno unleashes a thunderous strike to level the scores at 2-2 in the late stages

🇦🇺 #AUSvPAN 🇵🇦 is live now on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/NNV8OsTWe1

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) July 8, 2025

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.

Charli Grant strikes in stoppage time! ⏰@TheMatildas hit the front at the death - as Grant pokes it home at the back post to grab a 3-2 lead

🇦🇺 #AUSvPAN 🇵🇦 is live now on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/LZrqyPdyy8

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) July 8, 2025

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.

An absolute gem from Arauz 💎

Panama strike first in Perth as Ericka Arauz pounces on the turnover to lace one from deep outside the box and make it 1-0

🇦🇺 #AUSvPAN 🇵🇦 is live now on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/VQ1WnzWrC4

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) July 8, 2025

But in the 55th minute Heyman levelled the scores, tapping in her 32nd career goal for the national side off a Raso assist.

Heyman levels the score for @TheMatildas 🎯

A pinpoint pass from Hayley Raso sets up the equaliser as Michelle Heyman follows it home

🇦🇺 #AUSvPAN 🇵🇦 is live now on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/uv4LNcxtTc

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) July 8, 2025

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.

So nice, they did it twice ✌️

Michelle Heyman links up again with Hayley Raso, as @TheMatildas striker heads home her second of the night

🇦🇺 #AUSvPAN 🇵🇦 is live now on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/Nrulflru8U

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) July 8, 2025

Originally published as Late winner saves understrength Matildas in confidence-boosting win over minnows Panama