England returned to winning ways in the UEFA Nations League after defeating Finland 3-1 on Sunday evening.
UEFA Nations League
Report: Finland v England
Date: 13 October 2024
Venue: Helsingin Olympiastadion
The Three Lions made six changes from their loss against Greece, as goalkeeper Dean Henderson, captain Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Angel Gomes and Marc Guehi were entrusted with turning things around.
Lee Carsley's charges were patient on the ball in the early exchanges and on 18 minutes Grealish finally opened the scoring with a composed strike after going through on goal from a pass by Gomes.
Finland were waiting for chances on counter-attacks and that opportunity arrived just after the half-hour mark, after Topi Keskinen went through on goal but his blasting shot was smothered by Henderson.
The Eagle Owls gained confidence and with seven minutes left of the first stanza Fredrik Jensen surged through on goal, with a bouncing ball falling kindly on his run but he fired his volley over the crossbar and England went to the interval with a narrow lead.
The Three Lions started the second stanza on the front foot and six minutes later, Cole Palmer almost doubled their lead with a low shot that produced a good save from goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky, after a square pass by Walker.
Finland got into the game shortly before the hour-mark after a cross-field pass sent Jensen through on goal but he blazed his shot over the crossbar.
With the momentum of the game slowing down, Carsley needed fresh legs 21 minutes before time, as Noni Madueke came on for Palmer and Ollie Watkins replaced Kane.
However, England got the cushion goal from a set-piece 16 minutes before time after Hradecky could only get his fingertips on a curling free-kick from Trent Alexander-Arnold, that found the far inside of the net.
As Finland pushed up, that suited the visitors as six minutes before time, Declan Rise put the game to bed for the visitors with a tap-in at the near post after a square pass by Watkins.
The Eagles Owls eventually got a consolation goal two minutes before time after Arttu Hoskonen headed home a cross at the near post.
England picked up their third win in four matches in League B, Group 2.
