Robbie Brady, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring Ireland’s second goal during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium
Here is how the Boys in Green fared in their 2-1 Nations League win away to Finland as Heimir Hallgrimsson got his first victory as Irish boss courtesy of Robbie Brady’s dramatic 88th-minute winner.
CaoimhÃn Kelleher – 6
Made a good early save to deny Leo Walta but was well beaten by Joel Pohjanpalo on 17 minutes after Collins’ awful pass. Untroubled otherwise on his fifth start in a row.
Dara O’Shea – 6
Operated at right-back in Helsinki and put in some vital tackles to deny some Finnish attacks from Tomas Galves and others. Showed his aerial prowess too.
Nations League Diary: Daniel McDonnell reflects on Ireland’s dramatic victory in Helsinki
Nathan Collins – 4
Captained Ireland in Séamus Coleman’s absence but the Brentford defender had a moment to forget here as his dreadful error gifted Finland the first-half opener.
Liam Scales – 7
His first competitive start in 11 months, the Celtic centre-half made crucial interventions at the back and rose high to score a superb header for the leveller – his first goal for the senior side.
Robbie Brady – 8
Standout shift from left-back. Set piece deliveries were good, most notably to assist Scales’ equaliser. Performed his defensive duties well too but stole the headlines with a fantastic strike for the winner.
Josh Cullen – 5
Worked hard in the Irish engine room and put in some good tackles but didn’t necessarily affect the game in the way he would have hoped.
Jason Knight – 6
Energetic shift from the Bristol City midfielder in the ‘six’ role on his 33rd cap. A good shot tested Lukas Hradecky on 46 minutes and won some frees to relieve pressure.
Chiedozie Ogbene – 5
Operated on the right and while he had a few bright moments going forward, the Ipswich Town winger’s end product let him down too many times. Made way for Festy Ebosele.
Finn Azaz – 7
Came in for his first competitive appearance and performed well. Got Ireland into the final third and won some frees. Dropped back for his defensive duties too. Replaced by Jamie McGrath.
Sammie Szmodics – 6
Had some nice moments and worked hard but failed to make a real impact in the final third on his seventh successive start. Saw a second-half effort saved before Adam Idah replaced him.
Evan Ferguson – 6
A first competitive start since November for the Brighton striker here. The offside flag denied him a goal on 21 minutes before two further efforts were saved. A frustrating night before he made way for Troy Parrott.
Substitutes – 7
McGrath (71 minutes) and Parrott (71) were the first changes while Idah (79) and Ebosele (79), as the latter skipped by two men to provide a sublime assist for Brady’s late winner.
Manager – 7
Heimir Hallgrimsson made four changes and saw his side start well before Collins’ nightmare error. Boos came from the travelling support at half-time but Ireland improved after the restart and secured a huge victory on the road.