Postpublished at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Finland
Jason Knight does really well to beat his man in midfield and he looks to play in Sammie Szmodics down the right, but his cross is blocked.
Summary
Republic of Ireland 1-0 Finland (Result)
Ferguson heads in opener from close range on 45 minutes
Finland hit woorkwork twice in first half
Kelleher saves Pohjanpalo penalty after 77 minutes
Republic finish third in Group B2 and face play-off
Finland relegated to League C
Postpublished at 19:54 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Postpublished at 19:51 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Finland
Festy Ebosele does well to win the ball in his own half.
He charges forward but runs into a number of blue Finland shirts and gives away a free-kick.
Postpublished at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Finland
We're two minutes in and it's already walking football.
The hosts are content to let Finland knock it about the back, and the Republic aren't putting on a lot of pressure.
Postpublished at 19:47 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Finland
Ronnie Whelan
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder on RTEGood to see early on in the game that the ball gets in for Mikey Johnston quickly and his first idea is to take the full-back on and he looks very capable of getting past the full-back time and time again.
Postpublished at 19:46 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Finland
Mikey Johnston plays in a low cross and Finland manage to hack it clear after a bit of pinball in the area.
KICK-OFFpublished at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland 0-0 Finland
Off we go!
The hosts get us rolling in Dublin.
The permutationspublished at 19:44 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
Kick-off is moments away, so we better look at what is at stake.
There are a lot of permutations with the Nations League, but Group B2 is (thankfully) quite simple to figure out.
To keep it short and sweet, if the Republic of Ireland avoid defeat in Dublin then they will be spared automatic relegation to League C.
Head-to-head between teams in the deciding factor in separating sides, so even if they draw and Finland defeat Greece in their final match to finish level on points with the Republic, the Irish would still finish ahead of their relegation rivals.
However, if they lose tonight, then it will go down to the final round of fixtures to see who will avoid the drop.
'Republic of Ireland should be winning this'published at 19:42 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
Kevin Doyle
Former Republic of Ireland footballer on RTE 2Finland are poor, we beat them away from home, we're at home and it's a lovely night for a game so we should be winning this.
Postpublished at 19:40 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
It's time for the anthems.
Image source, InphoImage caption, Both teams ahead of the anthems
Postpublished at 19:39 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
Nathan Collins and Lukas Hradecky lead out the teams in Dublin.
The Aviva definitely isn't full, with plenty of green seats on show, but there's a decent atmosphere.
'Caoimhin Kelleher has been absolutely sensational'published at 19:38 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
Stephen Kelly
Former Republic of Ireland right back on RTE 2Caoimhin Kelleher has been absolutely sensational.
To come into a team who are flying, top of the league and not missing a beat like Liverpool and not let them drop and come up in those moments with crucial saves when you're not heavily involved in a game. That's the sign of a top keeper.
Postpublished at 19:37 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
There's a lights show going on at the Aviva just before the players enter the pitch.
We'll be under way before too long.
'Szmodics not afraid to shoot'published at 19:36 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
Stephen Kelly
Former Republic of Ireland right back on RTE 2I like the way Sammie Szmodics is always looking to get on the ball and he is one of those confident players who is not afraid to shoot.
The unwanted statspublished at 19:35 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
Image source, InphoIt's not been the best start for Heimir Hallgrimsson has Republic of Ireland manager.
He lost his opening two matches, at home to England and Greece, before his first win in Finland was followed by another defeat by Greece, this time in Athens.
If Finland win tonight, not only would Hallgrimsson become the first-ever Irish manager to lose their first three home matches, but it would be the first time it has happened to any Republic of Ireland side since 1962.
The Nations League hasn't been the Republic of Ireland's friend. Their win rate of 15% after 20 matches (with- three wins, six draws and 11 defeats) is only better than Iceland (5.6%), San Marino (6.3%), Andorra (10.0%) and Liechtenstein (10.5%).
Back to the 90spublished at 19:33 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
We're heading back to the 90s in Dublin tonight, with a tracksuit and match shirt inspired by the Republic of Ireland's 1994 World Cup campaign.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 19:30 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
Kevin Doyle
Former Republic of Ireland footballer on RTE 2Heimir Hallgrimsson said he wants to keep the team consistent, but with the injuries and the amount of withdrawal it's been difficult for him to do that.
He has kept his two central halves, two central midfielders and his goalkeeper so he has the spine of the team there.
Team News - Doherty starts in Dublinpublished at 19:28 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
Republic of IrelandAfter being left out of the initial squad, Matt Doherty is straight into the starting team for tonight's game.
He's one of four changes from the defeat by Greece last month. Chiedozie Ogbene and Robbie Brady are injured while Troy Parrott and Dara O'Shea drop to the bench.
Doherty, Festy Ebosele, Callum O'Dowda and Mikey Johnston are the players to come in.
For Finland, Joel Paohjanpalo is on the bench after scoring against the Republic in Helsinki, as is record goalscorer Teemu Pukki.
Oliver Antman and Benjamin Kallman will be tasked with finding the goals for the visitors.
Republic of Ireland: Caoimhe Kelleher, Festy Ebosele, Matt Doherty, Nathan Collins (capt), Liam Scales, Callum O'Dowda, Josh Cullen, Jason Knight, Mikey Johnston, Evan Ferguson, Sammie Szmodics.
Subs: O'Leary, Travers, O'Shea, Molumby, Parott, O'Brien, Moran, Azaz, Manning, McAteer, Cannon, McGuinness.
Finland: Lukas Hradecky (capt), Nikolai Alho, Arttu Hoskonen, Robert Ivanov, Jere Uronen, Oliver Antman, Glen Kamara, Robin Lod, Matti Peltola, Benjamin Kallman, Kaan Kairinen.
Subs: Joronan, Sinisalo, O'Shaunghnessy, Pukki, Valakari, Pikkarainen, Tenho, Nissila, Suhonan, Pohjanpalo, Hakans, Niskanen.
No Pukki, no partypublished at 19:25 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesHere's a cracker of a stat from our friends at Opta.
Teemu Pukki may now be 34 and playing for Minnesota United in the USA, but his influence is still as important as ever.
He has been directly involved in 55% of all of Finland's Nations League goals.
That's eight goals and four assists in 22 matches.
Only Bosnia-Herzegovina legend Edin Dzeko (63%) and Nicko Sensoli of San Marino (100%) have better percentages.
Postpublished at 19:23 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
The Finns are warming up in Dublin.
Image source, Inpho
Image source, Inpho
Image source, InphoThe last meetingpublished at 19:20 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November
Republic of Ireland v Finland (19:45 GMT)
Image source, InphoRobbie 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.
Evan Ferguson celebrates scoring against Finland in the Dublin encounter
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.
- Published14 November
Double delight
Evan Ferguson rises to head home his fourth goal for Republic of Ireland
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.
Finns chase leveller
Caoimhin Kelleher gets across to save Joel Pohjanpalo's penalty at the Aviva Stadium
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.
Watch: Kelleher 'striving to get better' after standout Republic performance
UEFA Nations League Scores & Fixtures
Thursday 14th November
UEFA Nations League Table
On Thursday 14th November
Skip to table key
Match Participants:
League A Group 1
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 10 |
| |
| 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 1 |
|
League A Group 2
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 13 |
| |
| 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 10 |
| |
| 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | Israel | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 13 | -9 | 1 |
|
League A Group 3
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| |
| 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 5 |
| |
| 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 5 |
| |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 1 |
|
League A Group 4
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 10 |
| |
| 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| |
| 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 10 | -7 | 1 |
|
League C Group 1
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
| |
| 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 10 |
| |
| 3 | Estonia | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Azerbaijan | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 11 | -8 | 0 |
|
League C Group 2
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 12 |
| |
| 2 | Kosovo | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
|
| 3 | Cyprus | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 10 | -9 | 3 |
|
| 4 | Lithuania | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 0 |
|
League C Group 3
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| |
| 2 | Belarus | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Bulgaria | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 5 |
|
| 4 | Luxembourg | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 2 |
|
League C Group 4
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 13 |
| |
| 2 | Faroe Islands | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Armenia | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 4 |
|
| 4 | Latvia | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | -6 | 4 |
|
League D Group 1
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gibraltar | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
|
| 2 | San Marino | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
|
| 3 | Liechtenstein | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 2 |
|
League D Group 2
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moldova | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
|
| 2 | Malta | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
|
| 3 | Andorra | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
League B Group 1
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| |
| 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| |
| 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 4 |
|
- Republic of Ireland, Position 3, Points 6
- Finland, Position 4, Points 0
League B Group 2
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 8 | 12 |
| |
| 2 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| |
| 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 6 |
| |
| 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 0 |
|
League B Group 3
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 10 |
| |
| 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| |
| 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 7 |
| |
| 4 | Kazakhstan | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 10 | -10 | 1 |
|
League B Group 4
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 10 |
| |
| 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| |
| 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 4 |
| |
| 4 | Montenegro | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
|
Key
- Position 1 - 2 : Quarter-finals
- Position 3 : Relegation Play-off
- Position 4 : Relegation
Team Lineups
home team, Republic of Ireland
Manager: Heimir Hallgrímsson
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
Pitch Formation
1, Kelleher, Goalkeeper
2, Doherty, Defender
22, Collins, Defender
5, Scales, Defender
3, O'Dowda, Defender
21, Ebosele, Midfielder
6, Cullen, Midfielder
17, Knight, Midfielder
11, Johnston, Midfielder
7, Szmodics, Striker
9, Ferguson, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, C. Kelleher
- Number 3, C. O'Dowda , Yellow Card at 3 minutes
- Number 5, L. Scales
- Number 22, N. Collins , Captain
- Number 2, M. Doherty , substituted for D. O'Shea at 76 minutes
- Number 11, M. Johnston , substituted for R. Manning at 85 minutes
- Number 17, J. Knight , Yellow Card at 12 minutes
- Number 6, J. Cullen
- Number 21, F. Ebosele , substituted for J. Molumby at 76 minutes
- Number 9, E. Ferguson , substituted for F. Azaz at 76 minutes
- Number 7, S. Szmodics , substituted for T. Cannon at 85 minutes
Substitutes
home team, Republic of Ireland
- Number 14, F. Azaz
- Number 19, T. Cannon
- Number 15, R. Manning
- Number 18, K. McAteer
- Number 20, M. McGuinness
- Number 8, J. Molumby
- Number 13, A. Moran
- Number 12, J. O'Brien
- Number 4, D. O'Shea
- Number 16, M. O’Leary
- Number 10, T. Parrott
- Number 23, M. Travers
away team, Finland
Manager: Markku Kanerva
Formation: 5 - 4 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Hrádecky, Goalkeeper
17, Alho, Wing Back
5, Hoskonen, Defender
4, Ivanov, Defender
3, Peltola, Defender
18, Uronen, Wing Back
8, Lod, Midfielder
6, Kamara, Midfielder
14, Kairinen, Midfielder
7, Antman, Midfielder
9, Källman, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, L. Hrádecký , Captain
- Number 3, M. Peltola , substituted for D. O'Shaughnessy at 58 minutes
- Number 4, R. Ivanov
- Number 5, A. Hoskonen
- Number 18, J. Uronen , substituted for D. Håkans at 64 minutes
- Number 17, N. Alho , substituted for I. Niskanen at 85 minutes
- Number 7, O. Antman , substituted for J. Pohjanpalo at 64 minutes
- Number 14, K. Kairinen
- Number 6, G. Kamara
- Number 8, R. Lod
- Number 9, B. Källman , substituted for T. Pukki at 84 minutes
away team, Finland
- Number 21, D. Håkans
- Number 12, J. Joronen
- Number 22, I. Niskanen
- Number 16, U. Nissilä
- Number 2, D. O'Shaughnessy
- Number 13, J. Pikkarainen
- Number 20, J. Pohjanpalo
- Number 10, T. Pukki
- Number 11, O. Valakari
- Number 23, V. Sinisalo
- Number 19, A. Suhonen
- Number 15, M. Tenho
home team, Republic of Ireland
Manager: Heimir Hallgrímsson
Formation: 4 - 4 - 2
Pitch Formation
1, Kelleher, Goalkeeper
2, Doherty, Defender
22, Collins, Defender
5, Scales, Defender
3, O'Dowda, Defender
21, Ebosele, Midfielder
6, Cullen, Midfielder
17, Knight, Midfielder
11, Johnston, Midfielder
7, Szmodics, Striker
9, Ferguson, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, C. Kelleher
- Number 3, C. O'Dowda , Yellow Card at 3 minutes
- Number 5, L. Scales
- Number 22, N. Collins , Captain
- Number 2, M. Doherty , substituted for D. O'Shea at 76 minutes
- Number 11, M. Johnston , substituted for R. Manning at 85 minutes
- Number 17, J. Knight , Yellow Card at 12 minutes
- Number 6, J. Cullen
- Number 21, F. Ebosele , substituted for J. Molumby at 76 minutes
- Number 9, E. Ferguson , substituted for F. Azaz at 76 minutes
- Number 7, S. Szmodics , substituted for T. Cannon at 85 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 14, F. Azaz
- Number 19, T. Cannon
- Number 15, R. Manning
- Number 18, K. McAteer
- Number 20, M. McGuinness
- Number 8, J. Molumby
- Number 13, A. Moran
- Number 12, J. O'Brien
- Number 4, D. O'Shea
- Number 16, M. O’Leary
- Number 10, T. Parrott
- Number 23, M. Travers
away team, Finland
Manager: Markku Kanerva
Formation: 5 - 4 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Hrádecky, Goalkeeper
17, Alho, Wing Back
5, Hoskonen, Defender
4, Ivanov, Defender
3, Peltola, Defender
18, Uronen, Wing Back
8, Lod, Midfielder
6, Kamara, Midfielder
14, Kairinen, Midfielder
7, Antman, Midfielder
9, Källman, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, L. Hrádecký , Captain
- Number 3, M. Peltola , substituted for D. O'Shaughnessy at 58 minutes
- Number 4, R. Ivanov
- Number 5, A. Hoskonen
- Number 18, J. Uronen , substituted for D. Håkans at 64 minutes
- Number 17, N. Alho , substituted for I. Niskanen at 85 minutes
- Number 7, O. Antman , substituted for J. Pohjanpalo at 64 minutes
- Number 14, K. Kairinen
- Number 6, G. Kamara
- Number 8, R. Lod
- Number 9, B. Källman , substituted for T. Pukki at 84 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 21, D. Håkans
- Number 12, J. Joronen
- Number 22, I. Niskanen
- Number 16, U. Nissilä
- Number 2, D. O'Shaughnessy
- Number 13, J. Pikkarainen
- Number 20, J. Pohjanpalo
- Number 10, T. Pukki
- Number 11, O. Valakari
- Number 23, V. Sinisalo
- Number 19, A. Suhonen
- Number 15, M. Tenho
- Referee:
- Harm Osmers
- Video Assistant Referee:
- Robert Schröder
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Dominik Schaal
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Stefan Lupp
- Fourth Official:
- Christian Dingert
- Assistant VAR Official:
- Johann Pfeifer
Match Officials
Match Stats
Key, Rep. Ireland v FinlandOverall Possession
Shots
Republic of Ireland 13Finland 14Shots on target
Republic of Ireland 3Finland 5Shots off target
Republic of Ireland 7Finland 4Blocked shots
Republic of Ireland 3Finland 5Total touches in the box
Republic of Ireland 20Finland 35Goalkeeper saves
Republic of Ireland 4Finland 2Fouls
Republic of Ireland 9Finland 9Corners
Republic of Ireland 7Finland 5Season so far
UEFA Nations League
Key, Rep. Ireland v Finland
Goals scored
Republic of Ireland 3Finland 2Goals conceded
Republic of Ireland 12Finland 13Shots
Republic of Ireland 41Finland 32Shots on target
Republic of Ireland 18Finland 12Shots off target
Republic of Ireland 23Finland 20Blocked shots
Republic of Ireland 10Finland 17Passing accuracy %
Republic of Ireland 79.91Finland 83.91Form guide
All competitions
Republic of Ireland lose
v Greece
2
0
UEFA Nations League
Finland lose
v England
1
3
UEFA Nations League
Republic of Ireland won
v Finland
1
2
UEFA Nations League
Finland lose
v Republic of Ireland
1
2
UEFA Nations League
Republic of Ireland lose
v Greece
0
2
UEFA Nations League
Finland lose
v England
2
0
UEFA Nations League
Republic of Ireland lose
v England
0
2
UEFA Nations League
Finland lose
v Greece
3
0
UEFA Nations League
Republic of Ireland lose
v Portugal
3
0
Friendlies
Finland draw
v Scotland
2
2
Friendlies
Previous meetings
All competitions
Republic of Ireland and FinlandRepublic of Ireland Won 3Finland Won 2Draw 1
Played
6
Previous scores
All competitions
UEFA Nations League
Finland 1 , Republic of Ireland 2 on the 10th of October 2024
Finland
Republic of Ireland
10th of October 2024
Finland 1 , Republic of Ireland 0 on the 14th of October 2020
Finland
Republic of Ireland
14th of October 2020
Republic of Ireland 0 , Finland 1 on the 6th of September 2020
Republic of Ireland
Finland
6th of September 2020
- Skip back to previous scores
- Skip back to previous meetings
- Skip back to form guide
- Skip back to season so far
Match Facts
Republic of Ireland have won four of their eight previous meetings with Finland (D2 L2), including when coming from 1-0 down at half-time to win 2-1 in Helsinki last month.
Finland won on their last visit to the Republic of Ireland in September 2020, 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League; the Finns have never won back-to-back such away games however (D2 L2).
Republic of Ireland have won just 15% of their 20 games in the UEFA Nations League (W3 D6 L11), with only Iceland (5.6%), San Marino (6.3%), Andorra (10.0%) and Liechtenstein (10.5%) having a worse win rate in the competition.
Finland have lost each of their last four matches – all coming in the UEFA Nations League – and could lose five in a row for the first time since October 1994.
Republic of Ireland have lost their two home games under manager Heimir Hallgrímsson (0-2 v England and Greece) and could lose three in a row for the first time since August 1962 – the Icelandic boss would be the first to lose his first three home games in charge of the Boys in Green.
Finland are winless in their last five away games in all competitions, since beating San Marino 2-1 in November 2023 (D1 L4); their four away losses in 2024 is their most in a calendar year since 2016 (6).
Sam Szmodics is still awaiting his first goal for the Republic of Ireland, having debuted back in March – no player has had more shots for the nation in 2024 than the forward has managed across his eight international appearances (9).
Finland’s all-time record goalscorer Teemu Pukki has been directly involved in 55% of the Finns’ goals in the UEFA Nations League (12/22 – 8 goals, 4 assists) with only San Marino’s Nicko Sensoli (100%) and Bosnia’s Edin Dzeko (63%) involved in a greater proportion of a nation’s goals in the competition.