Finland 1-2 Ireland
Thursday was a night when Ireland needed a big result. Back-to-back defeats to England and Greece had head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson already feeling the heat.
When Finland went in at the break 1-0 up, many Irish fans will have been fearing more of the same. However, Hallgrímsson’s side showed some grit and tenacity in the latter stages of the game to inject some hope into a hitherto lifeless Nations League campaign.
The Helsinki Olympic Stadium was less than half-full but the Finnish fans who did bother to show up would have been delighted with their team’s start to the game. A defensive calamity from Ireland saw Nathan Collins play the ball straight to Joel Pohjanpalo with just 16 minutes played, with the Finn making no mistake to put his side 1-0 up.
It was a lead Finland would hold to the break, as Ireland struggled to break down the low block their opponents utilised immediately after the goal.
Collins’ defensive partner Liam Scales would get things back on track for Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side in the second half, with his bullet header drawing Ireland level in the 57th minute.
🇫🇮 1-1 🇮🇪
Ireland are level! Robbie Brady bends in a brilliant ball and Liam Scales superby heads it home. It’s the Celtic man’s first goal for his country. ☘️
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 10, 2024
It was Scales’ first goal for Ireland and the first goal of the Hallgrímsson era.
Ireland were not perfect but were the better team on the night, and they got their reward late in the day with Robbie Brady’s superb winner at the death injecting fresh energy into the Nations League campaign.
The desire shown by Ireland, especially in the closing 20 minutes, was the biggest positive on a long overdue night to remember for the travelling fans in the corner of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
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Finland 1-2 Ireland: Player ratings as Boys in Green kick into gear in Helsinki
Caoimhín Kelleher – 6
Came out and tested the nerve of Joel Pohjanpalo after Collins’ error but could have done little more for the goal. Struggled to find Irish players under pressure from the Finns in the first half.
However, the Liverpool shot-stopper did not put a foot wrong when he was tested by the Finnish attack.
Dara O’Shea – 4.5
Struggled to deal with the pace of the Keskinnen down the right of the Irish defence, with the Finn managing to get in behind on several occasions in the first half. Finland began to target O’Shea here as the game went on.
Though he recovered well, most of Finland’s threatening attacks continued to come down O’Shea’s side deep into the second half.
Nathan Collins – 4.5
Commanding in the box early on but a catastrophic error from the captain led to Finland’s opener.
🇫🇮 1-0 🇮🇪
Disaster in Helsinki. A Nathan Collins error leads to Joel Pohjanpalo breaking the deadlock.
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 10, 2024
He nearly set up an equaliser moments later for Evan Ferguson, but he had unfortunately drifted marginally offside. His performance steadied significantly as the game developed but his shocking mistake gifted Finland the lead and changed the complexion of the game.
Liam Scales – 6.5
Nervy – misplaced a pass and immediately turned it over when he regained possession early on. Did not look comfortable in possession on several occasions during the first half but improved after the break. He intervened well when Finland tried to break out from their low block.
Gave Ireland an injection of energy with a superb header to draw the side level early in the second half. His first international goal was a cracker.
Robbie Brady – 8
Brighter than he was against Greece or England, and also better acquitted himself physically. His final ball in attack did leave much to be desired, though his set-piece delivery was solid as expected.
Pushed the Irish play forward down the left consistently, and his impact spread across the field early in the second half. His superb whipped free-kick delivery led to Ireland’s equaliser.
Even better was his wonderful finish from Festy Ebosele’s cross to secure a dramatic late win for Ireland and inject life into the Hallgrímsson era. After two shocking displays last time out, this was a night to remember for Brady.
Chiedozie Ogbene – 5
Solid link-up play early on. There was evidently intent to have Ireland’s attacking game plan run through Ogbene down the right in the first half but the Ipswich man struggled to complete any progressive passes in the final third.
His pace was utilised more by Ireland in the second half as Finland were forced to come out of their shell after Scales’ equaliser.
Josh Cullen – 5
10 October 2024; Josh Cullen of Republic of Ireland in action against Rasmus Schüller of Finland during the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 match between Finland and Republic of Ireland at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Much of the buildup play for both sides bypassed the midfield early on, meaning we saw little of Josh Cullen until he began to push out of the middle third approaching half-time.
Jason Knight – 4.5
Generally got stuck in and looked forward with his pass selection in the opening phase of the game, though the scrappiness of the midfield battle made it difficult for Knight to make much impact on the proceedings.
Sammie Szmodics – 5
The looping runs in behind that Szmodics made in vain against Greece were seen once again, though he was found early on by Robbie Brady. Questions must be asked, though, of why Szmodics was not positioned as the second striker alongside Ferguson from the outset.
Szmodics was far more involved on the ball than he was in either game last month and looked sharp whenever he got possession. However, his absence from much of Ireland’s attacking play made it significantly less threatening.
🇫🇮 1-0 🇮🇪
Chance of the game so far for an improved Ireland, with Sammie Szmodics forcing Lukas Hradecky into the save.
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 10, 2024
Forced a save from Hradecky early in the second half as the ball came at him fast.
Finn Azaz – 5
Pushed surprisingly far forward but was involved in some impressive link-up work early on. He was positive (if a little indecisive) on the ball and injected some pace playing off the right.
His influence dwindled dramatically after the break and he was withdrawn with 20 to play for Jamie McGrath.
Evan Ferguson – 5.5
Encouraging signs for Ferguson early on, with the 19-year-old seemingly enjoying having a strike partner. After a lean period in front of goal, it must have been agonising for Ferguson to see his neat close-range finish ruled out for offside shortly after Finland’s opener.
🇫🇮 1-0 🇮🇪
Close, but no cigar. Ireland have the ball in the net, however it’s chalked off.
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 10, 2024
Despite being brighter when he did see the ball, Ferguson was well-marshalled by the Finnish defence, making it difficult for him to make much impact in the first half.
As Ireland upped the tempo after the break and went more direct, Ferguson looked more threatening. He is in need of a goal and one hopes it is not too far away. Came off with 20 minutes to go after a more encouraging performance than what we have seen of late.
Substitutes
Troy Parrott (for Ferguson, 71′) – 5
Had little involvement on the ball after coming on until injury time, when he was perhaps a touch too greedy in chasing a goal.
Jamie McGrath (for Azaz, 71′) – 5
Tracked back well to break up play on the edge of the Ireland box when Finland threatened after Pukki’s introduction.
Adam Idah (for Szmodics, 81′) – n/a
Not on long enough to rate.
Festy Ebosele (for Ogbene, 81′) – 7
His injection of pace and creativity down the right, paired with the wonderful cross, was simply superb to set up Robbie Brady for Ireland’s equaliser. A memorable cameo.