Matildas exact revenge on Panama following shock defeat

The Matildas have bounced back in style to secure a much needed victory just days after they were stunned by a lowly ranked opponent.

A Charli Grant goal in the 91st minute has helped the Matildas avoid a second-straight defeat to lowly-ranked opponent Panama.

In what was a back and forth affair at HBF Park in Perth, the Matildas struck late to secure a 3-2 win.

The victory comes just days after they suffered a shock 1-0 loss at the hands of their 56th ranked rivals.

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It appeared they may be set to suffer the same fate following a lacklustre first half that saw them head into the break down 1-0.

Ericka Arauz capitalised on some sloppy defensive work with Jessika Nash turning the ball over after an errant pass.

Arauz wasted no time as she sent a shot from well outside the box into the back of the net in the 34th minute.

The Matildas however emerged a different outfit in the second half with Hayley Raso continually tearing Panama defenders to shreds.

Raso was at her damaging best and played a major role in the Matildas’ opening two goals.

A pinpoint cross from Raso in the 54th minute found a wide open Michelle Heyman who calmly slotted the ball into the net from close range to equalise.

Watch the equaliser in the video player above

Eleven minutes later they did it again with a near identical play. This time Raso’s cross found Heyman in the middle of the box with the veteran sending a header past the outstretched hand of the keeper.

Michelle Heyman and Hayley Raso turned the tide in the Matildas favour. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)

Despite appearing on track for victory, Panama refused to lay down with Lineth Cedeno pouncing and levelling things up at 2-2 after a brilliant passage of play in the 83rd minute.

From their the Matildas went all out attack mode and it was Grant who emerged at the back post following a cross from Courtney Nevin.

The ball carried all the way over a crowded box with Grant ushering the ball into the net and handing the Matildas the 3-2 advantage which they never squandered.

“Nev put an excellent ball in and I was just glad I could get on the end of it and get the win for us,” Grant said after the match.

“Scoring a goal for your country, you can’t top that.”

The victory means the two-game series between the two nations ends at one-win each with the Matildas now turning their attention to their AFF Women’s Championship clash against Myanmar on August 7.

Originally published as Matildas exact revenge on Panama following shock defeat