Australia 3-2 Panama
by Kelechi Osunwa at HBF Park for Impetus (8/7/25)
Above: Hayley Raso on the charge for the Matildas today. Photo: Cat Bryant for Impetus.
The Matildas finished their four games in Western Australia with an entertaining 3–2 win in a five-goal thriller against Panama at Perth’s HBF Park.
Two spectacular goals, either side of half-time, by Erika Arauz and Lineth Cedeño looked to be enough for the visitors to cancel out a second-half Michelle Heyman double and claim a much-deserved draw.
But a late injury-time goal by Charli Grant, much to the delight of 10,657 spectators, broke Panamanian hearts and left Matildas coach Joe Montemurro with two wins, a draw, and a loss from the four-game series in Western Australia.
Prior to the match, Montemurro had emphasised the need for his players to adjust to the intensity of international football and better dictate the rhythm and tempo of the game.
His side were able to reach the desired intensity levels in the first half as they matched Panama’s physicality, but an opening exchange played with an edge and chippiness meant that Panama had greater success dictating the rhythm.
Sloppy passing and turnovers in the defensive third have been recurring issues for the Matildas throughout this series, and they were lucky not to concede early after Jessika Nash was dispossessed while bringing the ball out from the back. Quick passing from the visitors found Marta Cox in a terrific position, and it was only a last-ditch block from Clare Hunt that prevented Panama from taking the lead.
Panama’s intense pressing gave the Matildas little time on the ball, with Sherline King, Cox, and Schiandra González relentless in midfield and often skirting the line between fair and foul.
Hayley Raso, starting just her second game after a long stint on the sidelines, was the creative fulcrum for Australia, who were otherwise reliant on set pieces. Raso was unlucky not to score or assist in one frantic phase of play when she struck the post with a low effort following a trademark mazy run. The shot hit the inside of the post and trickled back to Raso, who had the presence of mind to lay the ball off for Remy Siemsen, whose driven effort was dealt with by Farissa Córdoba.
The Matildas failed to heed their earlier warning about turnovers in the defensive third and were punished in spectacular fashion. A misplaced pass saw Arauz get the better of Emily van Egmond in a duel, and the winger silenced the home crowd by curling a dipping effort past the outstretched hands of Chloe Lincoln.
Raso created another opportunity after quick combination play with Grant down the right, but the full-back fired over the bar. The home side almost equalised on the stroke of half-time when Grant sent in a tantalising cross towards Siemsen, but Hilary Jaén did just enough to usher the forward away from the ball and ensure that the Central Americans held the lead at the break.
The Matildas started the second half as the better of the two sides, with quicker ball movement into wide areas marking a clear improvement. The increased tempo forced Panama to resort to a series of fouls to slow the game down. The persistent infringement saw González’s booking met with the loudest cheer of the match up to that point.
The home crowd didn’t have to wait long for a goal to celebrate, as the Matildas equalised moments later. Holly McNamara won the ball from an errant clearance by Wendy Natis and found Raso, whose low cross was turned home by Heyman. The striker had been largely kept quiet in the first half but stayed switched on and was ready when the chance came.
With the home crowd behind them, the Matildas were in the ascendancy, and Heyman didn’t have to wait long for her second. It came in much the same fashion as her first, with Raso again the provider, delivering a pinpoint cross that Heyman was all too happy to head home.
A combination of numerous substitutions from both teams and Panama pushing for an equaliser led to the game becoming stretched, with Australia unable to sustain the rhythm and control they had shown earlier.
In the chaos, Panama began to take control, with Cox and Riley Tanner growing in influence. The pair combined for Tanner to unleash a dipping, curling effort that required every inch of Lincoln’s outstretched hand to tip the shot to safety.
Panama nearly equalised again after another turnover on the edge of the box saw a cross trickle towards goal, only for Nash to put her body on the line between post and Tanner to clear the ball to safety.
Nash’s intervention proved crucial. While she was off the field receiving treatment, Panama equalised. A loose ball in transition found Cox, and the mercurial midfielder slipped in Cedeño on the right. The substitute struck cleanly and truly past Lincoln to stun the home crowd.
But the drama wasn’t over.
In the game’s dying minutes, Courtney Nevin found Grant at the far post to bundle the ball home and put the finishing touches on a performance that owed a lot to grit, desire, and determination.
In the post-match press conference, Montemurro and Heyman spoke about the importance of maintaining levels and standards.
It is still early days, but with the players learning and adjusting to tactical changes, the Matildas will hope the next two camps provide enough preparation to reach the level required for success at the Asian Cup.
Check out our Instagram page @ImpetusFootball to view a larger selection of Cat Bryant’s exclusive images from the HBF Park today.
AUSTRALIA (4-2-3-1): Lincoln, Nevin, Hunt, Van Egmond, Raso, Sayer, Grant, McNamara, Nash, Heyman, Siemen, Cross, Heyman, Siemsen. Substitutes: Prior, Berryhill, Whyman, Henry, James, Rankin, Murphy, Kuilamu, Galabadarachchi, Taranto, Apostolakis
Scorers: Heyman 55’, 65.’ Grant 90+1.
PANAMA (4-2-3-1): Cordoba, Jaen, Natis, Castillo, Arauz, González, Cox, King, Tanner, Quintero, Baltrip-Reyes. Substitutes: Morey, Gonzalez, Riley, Montenegro, Hernandez, Espinoza, Camarena, Cedeno.
Scorers: Arauz 34′, Cedeno 83′.
Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita (JPN).
Attendance: 10,657.
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