Evan Ferguson's goal and a superb penalty save from Caoimhin Kelleher helped Republic of Ireland to a 1-0 win over Finland in the Nations League game in Dublin.

Finland were twice denied by the woodwork before Brighton striker Ferguson headed in from a Mikey Johnston cross on the stroke of half-time.

The visitors were pushing for a deserved leveller when they were awarded a 77th-minute penalty after a VAR check for a handball by Ferguson.

Kelleher dived to his right to keep out Joel Pohjanpalo's spot-kick and then got up to save Robin Lod's shot from the rebound.

England's win against Greece means the Republic will finish third in Group B2 and face a play-off next year while Finland are relegated.

Thursday night victory at the Aviva Stadium completed a Nations League double for the Republic against Finland after the 2-1 win in Helsinki last month.

But it was the Finns who made the better start and Kann Kairinen fired off-traget before seeing his shot blocked.

The Irish saw less of the ball but they carried a threat throughtout and the home crowd celebrated when Ferguson played in Sammie Szmodics and the Ipswich forward rounded keeper Lukas Hradecky before slotting home.

However, the flag was raised for offside but the hosts were soon on the attack again with Ferguson's deflected long-range strike fizzing over.

Lod went so close to putting Finland in front when he curled against the post before Benjamin Hallman headed just wide.

Back came the Republic with an unmarked Matt Doherty running in at the backpost to meet a corner but he headed wide.

The same post came to Ireland's rescue again as Oliver Antman cut inside and his shot was goalbound until Nathan Collins got a vital touch to divert it on to the woodwork.

It proved to be a crucial intervention with the deadlock broken in the final minute of the first half as Johnston jinked his way to the byline and his dinked cross found Ferguson, who leaped highest to nod in from a yard out.

Josh Cullen sent a looping volley over the Finland bar on the restart before the visitors pressed for an equaliser.

Jere Uronen attempted to find the top corner but his shot drfited wide while the Republic still looked dangerous on the counter and Johnston rifled just wide.

Finland squandered a good chance when Daniel Hakan fed fellow substitute Pohjanpalo but he scooped over from 10 yards.

It would not be a night to remember for Pohjanpalo as he would be denied by Kelleher from the penalty spot.

The ball struck Ferguson's outstretched arm and following a lengthy VAR check referee Harm Osmers pointed to the spot.

Pohjanpalo made a good connection but in-form Liverpool stopper Kelleher dived to make the save and then denied Lod on the follow-up.

Szmodics almost made it 2-0 with his low effort saved by Hradecky before Pohjanpalo squandered another opportunity in added time.

Teemu Pukki's superb pass found the forward but he kicked the air rather than the ball and with that Finland's hopes ended.