WATCH: CommBank Matildas defeat Panama 3-2 to end international window on high

The CommBank Matildas have defeated Panama 3-2 in a highly entertaining contest to finish the four-game international window on a high.

Panama took the lead in the first half, before Michelle Heyman's second-half brace and Charli Grant's stoppage-time winner sealed the victory for Australia.

There were eight changes from the team that took on Panama in Bunbury on Saturday. The three players who started both games were Hayley Raso and Holly McNamara up top, and Courtney Nevin, who moved to a more familiar left-back role.

20-year-old Chloe Lincoln made her starting debut in goal after Teagan Micah was forced to leave camp with injury.

Emily van Egmond took the captain’s armband after Hayley Raso wore it from the start for the first time on Saturday.

Australia started the game with high intensity. Remy Siemsen had an early chance after a well-directed corner taken by Emily van Egmond, but had it deflected away from her by a Panama defender.

Amy Sayer had a similar kind of opportunity after a Van Egmond free kick, but her flicked header was wide of the goal.

Hayley Raso came agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 24th minute. After a wonderful solo run, her shot hit the inside of the post. The clearance came back to her, and she was able to cut it back to Remy Siemsen – but Siemsen’s shot was parried away.

Despite Australia’s pressure, it was Panama who would score first. The ball came out to Ericka Arauz after an errant back pass. Her finish was perfect into the top corner and gave the visitors the lead.

The CommBank Matildas found the breakthrough in the second half. Holly McNamara found the run of Raso on the right. Raso’s low cross was pin-point for Michelle Heyman, who only had to tap home from close range.

With the scores level, the game became a highly transitional, open affair. Charli Grant and Raso regularly found themselves haring up and down the pitch as it seemed the next goal was coming at any moment.

That proved to be the case. Once again, it was the combination of Raso and Heyman that got the job done. This time, Raso put in a high cross to Heyman, whose header snuck into the back of the net to give Australia the lead.

Chloe Lincoln showed off why she is such a highly rated goalkeeper with a full-stretch save in the 71st minute to retain Australia’s lead.

Australia made their first changes in the 75th minute. Alana Murphy and Jacynta Galabadaarachchi entered play, replacing Amy Sayer and Hayley Raso.

Panama kept pushing for an equaliser. Jessika Nash performed heroics on the goal line to keep out a goal from Riley Tanner after another giveaway of possession. In the next phase of play, however – while Nash was forced off the pitch with injury – Panama would score their second, through a howitzer from Lineth Cedeno.

Montemurro made two more changes as Australia chased a third goal. Adriana Taranto and Bryleeh Henry came on just before stoppage time, replacing Remy Siemsen and Holly McNamara.

It was Charli Grant who ensured that Australia finished the international window on a high. In stoppage time, Galabadaarachchi played a clever ball through to Courtney Nevin, who had advanced to the byline. Nevin’s cross found the run of her opposite wing-back Grant, who bundled the ball in for her second international goal and regained Australia’s lead.

One more change – with Chloe Berryhill entering for Emily van Egmond – helped the CommBank Matildas see the game out and come away with an important win.

Match Summary

Australia: 3 (Heyman 54’, 65’, Grant 90+1’)
Panama: 2 (Arauz 34’, Cedeno 83’)

Australia:  18. Chloe Lincoln (GK), 2. Courtney Nevin, 4. Clare Hunt, 10. Emily van Egmond (6. Chloe Berryhill 90+5’), 16. Hayley Raso (34. Jacynta Galabadaarachchi 74’), 17. Amy Sayer (30. Alana Murphy 74’), 22. Charlotte Grant, 25. Holly McNamara (26. Bryleeh Henry 90’), 31. Jessika Nash, 32. Michelle Heyman, 35. Remy Siemsen (36. Adriana Taranto 90’)

Unused substitutes: 12. Jada Whyman (GK), 28. Sally James (GK), 5. Natasha Prior, 29. Jamilla Rankin, 33. Grace Kuilamu, 37. Alexia Apostolakis

Yellow Cards:

Panama: 22. Farissa Cordoba (GK), 2. Hilary Jaen (15. Arlen Hernandez 86’), 3. Wendy Natis (16. Rebeca Espinosa 59’), 4. Katherine Castillo, 7. Ericka Arauz (18. Lineth Cedeno 59’), 8. Schiandra Gonzalez (9. Karla Riley 86’), 10. Marta Cox, 11. Sherline King (14. Carmen Montenegro 74’), 13. Riley Tanner, 21. Ana Ggabriela Quintero (17. Shayari Camarena 59’), 23. Carina Baltrip-Reyes

Unused substitutes: 1. Isabella Morey (GK), 5. Katherine Gonzalez, 19. Katherine Parris

Yellow Cards: 2. Hilary Jaen 39’, 8. Schiandra Gonzalez 52’, 10. Marta Cox 73’
Red Cards: Nil