Northern Ireland resoundingly beaten by Finland in Euro qualifier
Hoping to restore some pride after missing out on the automatic qualification spots in Group H, Finland and Northern Ireland squared off in need of a victory, resulting in a busy opening for both Conor Hazard and Lukas Hradecky in between the sticks.
First came the strike of Isaac Price, who forced Hradecky into routine action in the middle of his goal. Hazard’s task was similarly simple in the end, as Joel Pohjanpalo wasted a good opportunity by striking down the goalkeeper’s throat.
It wasn’t until right before the break that proceedings heated up once more following a feeling-out period, with the visitors testing Hradecky for a second time when Dion Charles’ volley forced the goalkeeper into action.
The opportunity only seemed to spring Finland into action however, as they quickly went up the other end and earned a penalty when Price tripped Nikolai Alho inside the area.
Stepping up and making no mistake, Pohjanpalo converted in the 42nd minute to give the hosts a HT lead - and make it the seventh time that Northern Ireland have conceded the first goal in their last nine games.
The break should have given Northern Ireland the chance to recoup. It did anything but however, as Finland came flying out the blocks to double their lead.
This time, it was Daniel Håkans wheeling away in celebration after his intricate play with Glen Kamara allowed room for his strike from outside the box and past a disappointed Hazard at his near post just three minutes after the restart.
From there, it began to become clear as to why Michael O'Neill’s side failed to qualify for Euro 2024, with their seven goals scored in Group H a culmination of their struggles.
This allowed Finland to cruise towards their first victory in three qualification games, fending off half chances from the likes of George Saville, before Teemu Pukki and Robin Lod got in on the act from the bench.
The former Norwich striker finished in vintage clinical fashion courtesy of substitute Robert Taylor’s cutback in the 74th minute, before turning creator for Lod’s routine strike in the final two minutes to cap off a fine 4-0 victory.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Joel Pohjanpalo (Finland)
