A dramatic end saw hosts Argentina score twice for a 4-0 lead and Panama reduced to nine players in the CONMEBOL / CONCACAF play-off 1st leg.
Although Estefania Banini had her early penalty saved by Yenith Bailey, Mariana Larroquette and Eliana Stabile struck for a 2-0 interval advantage to please the 11,500 crowd.
Yamila Rodriguez got the third and Stabile completed her brace with a spot-kick, with Panama’s Katherine Castillo and Lineth Cedeño both dismissed in stoppage-time.
It will take a miraculous turnaround on Tuesday for Panama to reach their first ever World Cup, while Argentina look to seal their first place at the finals for a dozen years.
There is the UEFA play-Off final 1st Leg tonight, as the Netherlands host Switzerland in front of a sell-out crowd in Utrecht.
As well as England’s 3-0 midweek win in Austria, a couple of other sides were also continuing their World Cup preparations.
The USA reached a milestone 500th win with a Jessica McDonald goal just before half time giving them a 1-0 result in Portugal.
Spain were 3-1 victors over Poland, as Andea Falcon, Alexia Putellas and Marta Carro found the net, Ewa Pajor getting an equalizer for the visitors.
Coming up:
Sat 10/11/18 Australia v Chile, Germany v Italy, France v Brazil, Portugal v Wales
Sun 11/11/18 Japan v Norway, England v Sweden
Tue 13/11/18 Australia v Chile, Germany v Spain, Scotland v USA