Lincoln’s Heroics Keep Australia Ahead of Panama

Matildas rely on stellar goalkeeping amid substitutions in tense match

A remarkable one-handed save by **Chloe Lincoln** denied **Riley Tanner** what seemed a sure goal, preserving Australia’s narrow lead against Panama. The save proved crucial as the Matildas navigated a challenging phase of the match.

Key Moments in the Second Half

**Tanner** took another shot from long range following the save, but it was blocked, resulting in another corner kick for Panama. After a short corner play, **Hayley Raso** stole the ball. A dangerous slide tackle by **Marta Cox** followed in an attempt to stop **Raso’s** progress.

At 74 minutes, the score remained Australia 2-1 Panama.

Matildas Make Changes

With the game in the balance, the Matildas made their first substitutions. **Alana Murphy** and **Jacinda Galabadaarachichi** entered the match, replacing **Amy Sayer** and **Hayley Raso**. This change aimed to inject fresh energy into the Australian side.

As reported by FIFA, substitutions are a vital strategic tool, with studies showing that well-timed changes can increase a team’s chance of success by up to 20% FIFA.com.

Raso’s Impact

**Hayley Raso’s** performance stood out before her substitution, earning her recognition as a potential player of the match. Her contributions were pivotal in maintaining Australia’s advantage.