Robbie Brady celebrates his late winnerInpho

Robbie Brady fired home in the 88th minute to give the Republic of Ireland a crucial win

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Robbie Brady fired home an 88th-minute winner as the Republic of Ireland picked up their first victory under Heimir Hallgrimsson with a 2-1 win in Finland.

Finland were gifted a first-half opener when Irish captain Nathan Collins underhit a back pass, which allowed Joel Pohjanpalo to race through and slot past Caoimhin Kelleher.

However, it was a much-improved performance in the second half and Liam Scales headed home Brady's free-kick just shy of the hour mark to score the first goal of the Hallgrimsson era.

There was late drama to come when Brady was on hand to rifle Festy Ebosele's cross into the roof of the net to score a goal that could ignite Hallgrimsson's tenure as manager.

The win is only the third in their past 14 competitive matches, but it could be a crucial three points after two morale-damaging defeats to open their Nations League campaign.

There had been calls for players to step up and end the poor run of form, and Brady answered that call with an assist and superb winner in Helsinki.

Both sides had lost their opening Nations League matches without scoring a goal, and the early stages showcased two sides who are struggling for form and confidence.

Finnish defender Leo Walta had a shot held by Kelleher, who is set for an extended run in Liverpool's team following Alisson's recent injury, but the Irish goalkeeper was helpless to keep out the opener after Collins' error.

It was a self-inflicted blow for the Republic who, to their credit, almost mustered an immediate response.

After Middlesbrough's Finn Azaz was fouled out wide, Collins headed the deep free-kick back across goal and Evan Ferguson was on hand to touch the ball home. However, the whistle immediately blew and referee Aleksandar Stavrev judged that Collins had not kept the ball in play.

Pohjanpalo had a weak effort on target but it was a strong end to the half for the Republic.

The lively Azaz fired a low effort on target, and Collins was involved again as he almost got on the end of a scuffed effort by Ferguson, but Hradecky was alert to sense the danger.

Moments later Ferguson, searching for his first international goal in a year, forced Hradecky into a save from a narrow angle but the hosts held on to lead into the interval.

Inpho

Joel Pohjanpalo capitalised on Nathan Collins' error to put the hosts in front

The Irish picked up where they left off as Jason Knight drilled in a low effort that was easily held by Hradecky.

Ferguson showed superb feet to jink into the area but Rasmus Schuller nipped for a crucial intervention, and, from the resulting corner, Sammie Szmodics' flicked effort forced Bayern Leverkusen keeper Hradecky into another smart save.

They got their deserved equaliser when Brady's free-kick was well met by Scales, whose header flew into the corner of the net.

With the momentum in their favour, Ferguson fired low at Hradecky, but despite all the Irish pressure Finland should have taken the lead when the ball broke to Glen Kamara on the edge of the area but he went for power and it flew wide.

The in-form Troy Parrott, who has eight goals in 10 games for AZ Alkmaar, was introduced in place of Ferguson, but it was Finland who had another gilt-edged chance when Tomas Galvez dragged an effort wide from inside the area.

Finland could have snatched the game when Benjamin Kallman's header grazed the post with Kelleher stranded.

But the decisive moment came a minute later when substitute Ebosele danced his way through Galvez and Teemu Pukki before playing a brilliant cross to Brady at the back post, and the left back made no mistake to fire home.

It could have been even better in injury time when Parrott's effort was batted away by Hradecky and Adam Idah's follow up was straight at the goalkeeper.

It was the first time the Republic had come from behind to win a competitive match in 11 years, and they will look to make it back-to-back victories against Greece on Sunday.

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