Dhaka,   Wednesday 16 October 2024

England clinch 3-1 win over Finland

SAT Sports Desk

Published: 14:03, 14 October 2024

England’s Jack Grealish scores their first goal Markku. Reuters

England enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Finland at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Sunday to get their Nations League campaign back on track after Thursday's humbling loss to Greece.

The win for England's under-scrutiny interim manager Lee Carsley left his side second in Group B2 with nine points after four games, level on points with leaders Greece who host Ireland later on Sunday, while Finland are bottom without a point.

"I think we could have had a few more (goals), especially towards the end as the game opened up," Grealish told ITV.

"It was difficult at times in the first half, but we went in at halftime with a one-goal lead, and then I think we dominated the game."

Grealish opened the scoring in the 18th minute with his fourth England goal when Angel Gomes spun and slipped a clever pass into the path of the winger, who slotted the ball into the far corner past goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky.

"The goal came from the manager letting us play with that freedom," said Grealish, who stuck a thumb in his mouth in celebration, saying it was for his daughter who was born last month.

Alexander-Arnold gave England some breathing space when he bent a free kick from 20 metres over the wall into the top corner in the 74th minute.

"I joked to Trent before the free-kick 'score this I will give you 500 quid ($650),' and he slapped it in top bin (corner)," Grealish said.

Rice tapped home substitute Ollie Watkins' cross 10 minutes later after making a bursting run upfield.

Source: Reuters

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