Matildas exact revenge on Panama following shock defeat
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.
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.
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.
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.
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