Ferguson on target as Ireland edge out Finland

UEFA Nations League Group B

Republic of Ireland 1-0 Finland

Evan Ferguson’s first-half header proved to be the matchwinner as the Republic of Ireland edged out Finland in their UEFA Nations League encounter at Aviva Stadium.

An evenly fought contest saw the visitors hit the woodwork twice in the opening half before Ferguson rose well to nod home on the stroke of half-time.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s charges had Caoimhín Kelleher to thank in the second half as the goalkeeper’s double-save from the spot ensured that Ireland held on for the victory.

It was a game that Finland had to win to avoid relegation, however, it was the home side who came out of the blocks quickest and probed the flanks in the opening ten minutes, while employing a high press on occasion, which kept possession inside the Finland half.

The visitors finally came out to play and enjoyed a few moments in attack, likewise down the flanks, but neither goal was threatened inside the opening 20 minutes.

Finland enjoyed the best moment as they moved the ball up the right, with Robin Lod and Nikolai Alho combining well to set up Kaan Kairinen in space inside the penalty area, however, his poor shot was helped wide for a corner.

Ireland’s only real return of the period was a couple of early yellow cards for Callum O’Dowda and Jason Knight.

The home side’s best move followed shortly after, as they worked possession out from the back before Matt Doherty sent Josh Cullen racing forward. The ball was slipped inside the right channel for Festy Ebosele, and while his drag-back was cleared, it was picked up by Jason Knight but  the midfielder fired over the bar.

Ireland had the ball in the back of the net in the 23rd minute following another decent move, which led to Ferguson whipping a fine pass through the defensive line into the feet of Sammie Szmodics, who rounded the keeper and slid the ball into the back of the net.

However, his immediate glance to the line suggested he knew he had gone too early, and the flag was duly raised to prevent the striker from recording his first international goal.

It was a good spell for Ireland and Ferguson followed up a minute later, as he picked the ball up on the left and ran at the defence. The striker shot early, and it took, not one, but two deflections as Lukas Hradecky stood still and watched where the ball would end up – it flew just over the crossbar.

But Finland took over shortly after and had two great chances inside three minutes when Mikey Johnston was caught in possession, allowing Lod to race inside the box and curl a beautiful effort beyond Kelleher, however, the post saved Ireland, and Johnston’s blushes.

Finland again came close in the 34th minute when a ball in from the left floated just behind the striker, however, Benjamin Kallman somehow arched his body, and neck, to make great contact and had Kelleher scrambling across to his left as the ball fell just beyond the post.

Ireland’s main tactic was to attack via the flanks, however, their best chance thus far came right through the middle as Cullen clipped a hopeful ball over the top for Szmodics to chase in the 37th minute. The Ipswich man’s tenacity led to him winning the ball before slapping a fine shot on goal, which was turned over the bar.

Two minutes later, Callum O’Dowda floated a lovely cross in from the left, however, Liam Scales could not keep it down, and had not noticed Ferguson arriving just behind, in a better position. Doherty would then head wide from a corner, arriving in space at the back post.

Finland should have taken the lead in the 42nd minute, and Oliver Antman must have thought he had scored as he sent Kelleher the wrong way after cutting inside a defender in the box, but Nathan Collins somehow got a toe on the ball and worked it onto the post before heading the rebound out of play from a prone position.

It looked like the sides would go in at the break level, but there was a late twist at the very end of the first half as Ireland made the breakthrough in the 45th minute.

Again the flank, and this time the left, as Johnston twisted and turned close to the byline before lifting a most delicate chip over the keeper, guarding his front post.

Ferguson timed his arrival to perfection, and helped the ball home with a cushioned header into the back of the net.

A slow enough start to the second half, as neither side really threatened inside the opening ten minutes, with Jere Uronen’s off target half-volley in the 55th minute the only chance of note.

Ireland eventually got going in the 62nd minute as Szmodics raced down the right and his clipped cross was just too high for Ferguson, but they kept the pressure on as Johnston raced in from the left to rifle a shot across the keeper, but the ball just flew wide of the far post.

Finland’s neat passing game in the final third led to a decent chance in the 63rd minute, but Lod’s shot was well blocked by Liam Scales.

Finland looked to change things up as changes arrived from the bench, including danger man Joel Pohjanpalo up front, and the goalscorer in Helsinki almost had an immediate impact as he connected with a ball in from the left in the 68th minute but worked his well-timed effort just over the bar.

In the 72nd minute, there was a big shout for handball, but Ireland cleared and play continued.

In the meantime, a VAR check was in progress and replays eventually showed that Daniel O’Shaughnessy helped the ball on, but Ferguson’s raised hand prevented it from travelling goalwards.

It took three minutes from the incident before the referee a chance to review and make the TV gesture before indicating a penalty was the decision.

And two more minutes elapsed, including time for a triple Ireland substitution, before Pohjanpalo stepped forward to smash the spot-kick goalwards.

However, it only took a split-second for Kelleher to make an incredible save from the ferocious effort as he bounced back up to gather the follow-up from Lod, with the keeper taking a blow to his chin as the midfielder slid in hoping for a spillage.

Into the final ten minutes and with Finland pushing for an equaliser, it left huge space in behind, which was exploited by substitute Finn Azaz, sending Szmodics racing down the right.

The striker took on the individual challenge, and worked a fine shot across the face, but Hradecky made a fine stop low to his right.

Then on the stroke of 90 minutes a tempting ball was worked behind the defensive line to offer the visitors a late chance to level, however, Pohjanpalo fluffed his lines and hit a fresh air shot as the ball rolled harmlessly wide with Ireland seeing out the added time to make it back-to-back wins against the Nordic side who are relegated to League C.

Ireland now move on to face England at Wembley on Sunday, and are guaranteed third place in the group, which will mean a play-off awaits in March to maintain their own second-tier status.

Republic of Ireland: Caoimhin Kelleher; Matt Doherty (Dara O’Shea 76), Callum O’Dowda, Nathan Collins, Liam Scales; Josh Cullen, Jason Knight, Festy Ebosele (Jayson Molumby 76), Mikey Johnston (Ryan Manning 85); Sammie Szmodics (Tom Cannon 85), Evan Ferguson (Finn Azaz 76)

Finland: Lukas Hradecky (capt); Jere Uronen (Daniel Hakans 64), Nikolai Alho (Ilmari Niskanen 84), Robert Ivanov, Arttu Hoskonen; Glen Kamara, Robin Lod, Oliver Antman (Joel Pohjanpalo 64), Matti Peltola (Daniel O’Shaughnessy 58); Kaan Kairinen, Benjamin Kallman (Teemu Pukki 84)

Referee: Harm Osmers (GER)