England bounced again from a damning defeat to Greece with a cushty 3-1 win away to Finland within the Nations League.
Lee Carsley made a number of modifications to the crew that final at Wembley on Thursday, together with the return of captain Harry Kane.
He was not on the scoresheet, however the Three Lions seemed extra resolute and free-flowing with the Bayern Munich man up entrance.
Jack Grealish gave the guests an early lead, enjoying a wise handed end into the online after latching onto Angel Gomes’ go.
Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled the rating within the second half, sending a free-kick into the highest nook in what can solely be described as a shocking strike.
Declan Rice made it 3-0 with a couple of minutes to go, poking Ollie Watkins’ effort into the underside nook.
3️⃣ objectives and three️⃣ factors for the #ThreeLions 🫶 pic.twitter.com/R1AG4kDll4
— England (@England) October 13, 2024
Finland did get a comfort by way of Arttu Hoskonen, nevertheless it was not sufficient to down England, who nonetheless sit behind Greece in League B Group 2 on purpose distinction and having performed a recreation much less.
Learn on to find the complete match report.
The way it occurred
England began with their regular management and persistence, working by way of the early stress from Finland.
The primary breakthrough got here within the 18th minute when Angel Gomes performed a chic through-ball to Grealish, whose completely timed run behind the Finnish defence left him one-on-one with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.
The Manchester Metropolis winger made no mistake, slotting dwelling calmly to offer England a 1-0 lead.
SUPER, SUPER JACK! ✨ pic.twitter.com/ZwlFso6qNe
— England (@England) October 13, 2024
Finland, regardless of going behind, responded with just a few promising assaults.
A defensive lapse from England nearly let the hosts again in, however Fredrik Jensen missed a golden alternative within the 57th minute, blazing his shot over the bar with solely the goalkeeper to beat.
The miss proved pricey as England regained management and steadily elevated the stress.
The second half noticed Finland briefly threaten, however England’s defensive group largely stored them at bay.
After 60 minutes of play, a shocking free-kick from Alexander-Arnold doubled England’s benefit.
After Jude Bellingham was fouled on the sting of the field, the Liverpool full-back stepped as much as ship a wonderfully positioned shot into the top-left nook, giving Hradecky no probability and lengthening the result in 2-0.
It was an exquisite @TrentAA free-kick to double our lead in Finland! 👏 https://t.co/KtLigCrzGu pic.twitter.com/7EmS3ZhCnv
— England (@England) October 13, 2024
England continued to rotate their squad, with substitutes including contemporary vitality and affect.
Within the 84th minute, Watkins offered a fast burst of tempo down the appropriate wing, delivering a low cross that Rice met on the close to put up to make it 3-0.
The purpose appeared to seal the match for England, capping off a dominant efficiency from the guests.
Nevertheless, Finland refused to go quietly.
Simply three minutes later, a nook from the left discovered Finland’s Robert Ivanov, who nodded the ball towards the close to put up the place Hoskonen was lurking.
The defender directed his header into the highest nook to tug one again for the hosts within the 87th minute, making it 3-1 and stopping England from securing a clear sheet.
Finland rating. It’s now 3-1 to England.
— England (@England) October 13, 2024
Within the ultimate minutes, Finland continued to press, however John Stones and the England defence stood agency, guaranteeing that the late purpose remained a mere comfort.
England noticed out the remaining moments of stoppage time with out an excessive amount of problem, wrapping up a hard-earned victory.