Finland vs England 1-3: Nations League Group B2 – as it happened

England keep their UEFA Nations League campaign humming along with a 3-1 win against Finland in Helsinki.

On November 14, England will face their next opponents, Greece, who they will hope to exact revenge on after losing 2-1 recently at Wembley Stadium.

Finland take on Ireland on the same day, as they desperately look for a win.

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of today’s encounter, and until the next time, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.

Wins for England, Slovenia, North Macedonia and Malta 🙌

Three more games coming up… 😍#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/FZv8kc6BfG

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) October 13, 2024

England’s interim boss Lee Carsley has also spoken with ITV:

“The team responded really well and scored three good goals,” he said. “I thought we were a lot better tonight – we played with a lot more control. Looking at the data we’ve just got, we had massive possession, lots and lots of passes, created lots of chances. But I think we can still be better.

“Finland were very well organised, with five at the back, and there wasn’t a lot of space. When you have as much possession as we did, you’re always going to get chances from 70 minutes onwards and it was good that the subs made an impact.

“[Trent Alexander-Arnold’s] quality speaks for itself; he’s more than earned his place. We do get bogged down with whether he’s left back or right back, but what’s more important is that he gets in effective positions.

“Jack [Grealish] was outstanding tonight. I think he’d have been really effective against Greece and I wish we could fast forward and play them next week.”

Carsley was asked whether he wants the job on a permanent basis.

“I’ve not really thought that much about it,” he said. “My remit was to do six games and I’m really enjoying it. I didn’t enjoy it so much in the last two days – I’m not used to losing with an England team, and I don’t take losing very well.

“My bosses have made it totally clear what they need from me. This job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies and been there and done it, and I’m still on the path to that.”

Grealish, who scored the opener, spoke with ITV after the match.

“We could’ve had a few more goals, especially towards the end as the game opened up,” he said. “It was difficult at times in the first half and we’re a bit gutted to concede at the end, but we needed a win and we got it.

“[On his goal] It comes from the manager giving us the freedom to move around. I play with Angel [Gomes] every day in training and I know what a top player he is. It was a brilliant assist.

“[On Alexander-Arnold’s goal] I said to him, ‘If you score this, I’ll give you 500 pounds [$653]’ and he just slapped it in the top bin! [On Lee Carsley] … whatever happens with the England manager you’ll always have some people saying negative stuff. I don’t really get it. He’s a top, top guy, a brilliant manager and I love playing for him.”

Grealish opens the scoring ⚽️#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/QMSLF7Kb5r

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) October 13, 2024

Greece continue to lead the League B, Group 2 standings with nine points after securing three wins in three matches.

England hold on to the second spot with nine points, after having played four matches.

Finland continue to inhabit the bottom spot with zero points and a goal difference of negative eight.

3️⃣ goals and 3️⃣ points for the #ThreeLions 🫶 pic.twitter.com/R1AG4kDll4

— England (@England) October 13, 2024

England solidify their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 3-1 victory over Finland.

The scoreline may suggest it was a comfortable win. However, until Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick goal, it was anything but.

Finland, despite being completely outmatched on possession and shots, had their chances to equalise.

Ultimately, it was the gulf in quality between the sides that proved the difference maker.

Just the four minutes left now as Finland look re-energised after their late goal.

90 mins: Finland 1-3 England

England look for their fourth as they set off on a break.

Watkins passes to Madueke on his right, and he slaloms towards goal.

He fires from close at the near post, but ends up sending it just wide.

88 mins: Finland 1-3 England

Hoskonen scores his first international goal to give Finland something to smile about!

It comes courtesy of a left-side corner. The delivery is right into the box, and Hoskonen is able to power his header past Henderson.

If Jensen had converted earlier from that glorious near-range chance, it would have made these final few minutes a bit more tantalising.

87 mins: Finland 1-3 England

After celebrating briefly, Rice heads towards the touchline as Conor Gallagher replaces him for the final few minutes.

85 mins: Finland 0-3 England

Watkins squares a pass to Rice from the left side.

The Arsenal midfielder taps it past Hradekcy to put the cherry on top for England.

84 mins: Finland 0-3 England

England win a corner from the left side. Finland use the break in play to make another change.

Alho, who has had his moments, is replaced by Oliver Antman.

82 mins: Finland 0-2 England

Rico Lewis and Phil Foden are allowed an opportunity to stretch their legs as Gomes and Bellingham head to the bench.

80 mins: Finland 0-2 England

He takes it from outside the box, just left of centre.

Henderson puts in a valiant dive towards the top-left corner, but the chance is off target.

80 mins: Finland 0-2 England

After Alexander-Arnold’s classic free kick goal, the body language has slumped considerably among the Finnish players.

England have an added spring in their step as they now look to protect the clean sheet.

78 mins: Finland 0-2 England

Alexander-Arnold curls the free kick right into the top-left corner as England go 2-0 up in Helsinki!

It really was a wonderful effort from the Liverpool player, and he may have just done and dusted this match.

74 mins: Finland 0-2 England

It is from about 20 metres (66 feet) out, just left of centre.

Alexander-Arnold waits for the wall to be ready as he looks to go for goal from here.

74 mins: Finland 0-1 England

Madueke steams down the right side.

He looks to square a chip towards Watkins for an easy tap-in, but ends up sending it behind him as Finland are able to recover and remove the threat.

72 mins: Finland 0-1 England

Alexander-Arnold provides the service from the left side.

He curls it into the box, but the ball is cleared to the touchline.

71 mins: Finland 0-1 England

Kane, who has been a non-factor tonight, trudges off alongside Palmer as their replacements Ollie Watkins and Noni Madueke enter the fray.

69 mins: Finland 0-1 England