Finland’s Robert Ivanov, right, battles for the ball with England’s Declan Rice during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Finland and England, at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (Antti Aimo-Koivisto /Lehtikuva via AP)
Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice scored for the Three Lions in Helsinki on Sunday as they bounced back from a shock defeat to Greece earlier in the week.
England got back to winning ways by beating Finland 3-1 in the Nations League on Sunday.
After a shock 2-1 home defeat by Greece on Thursday, goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice secured victory in Helsinki.
It was a third win in four games under interim coach Lee Carsley, who may have strengthened his case to take over the role permanently.
Defeat to Greece following the appointment of an experimental squad raised questions about his fitness and doubts will remain even after this latest win.
But for some lopsided finishing from No. 64-ranked Finland, it could have been another embarrassing night for an England team ranked 60 places higher.
Grealish opened the scoring from close range in the 18th minute at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium after being set up by Angel Gomez’s clever strike.
Alexander-Arnold doubled England’s lead in the 74th with a typical free-kick and Rice converted at the near post 10 minutes later from substitute Ollie Watkins’ cross.
Artu Hoskonen scored a consolation goal for Finland in the 87th.
England are second in Group B2 and behind leaders Greece on goal difference, having played a game more.
(This story was not edited by News18 staff and was published by a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)
