Following defeats to England and Greece, both Finland and Ireland are on zero points in Group 2 as Boys in Green head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson seeks an improved performance from his team.
However, a defensive error led to Finland taking a first-half lead. Ireland have, however, equalised in the second-half through Celtic defender Liam Scales.
Finland
1
:
1
IRL
The game is certainly opening up.
Ireland continue to pile the pressure on Finland but clear-cut chances are at a premium, with the end product not quite there from the likes of Azaz and Szmodicz.
Ireland somehow survive as a loose touch from Josh Cullen breaks to Glen Kamara. The former Rangers man flashes it wide much to Ireland’s relief.
It’s Scales’ first goal for his country. Watch the perfectly timed header here.
Shot on target from Evan Ferguson from distance after another incisive run from Ogbene. Ferguson’s shot is powerful but it’s straight at the keeper, with Szmodics giving him an earful for not passing the ball.
Get in there. Robbie Brady swings a perfect delivery into the box and Liam Scales meets it flush, steering into Hradecky’s far corner. Beautiful from Scales, the keeper had no chance. Olés are ringing around the ground now!
It’s been brighter from Ireland in the second half. Ogbene wins a free-kick after running with trademark speed and drive at the Finnish back-line. You’d expect Brady to swing this into the box.
So close. Scales heads down to Szmodics who has a glorious chance but his effort is straight at Hradecky, who keeps the ball out.
Ireland finally make some inroads through Szmodics and Ferguson, who dodges a defender with a lovely touch but he’s pegged back by a last ditch Finnish tackler. Out for a corner.
The disputed goal in question.
Over at the Olympiastadion, Dan McDonnell says the Irish team were the subject of some boos at the break.
Meanwhile, Shay Given reckons Ireland were wrongly denied a goal through Evan Ferguson.
Sin é for the first half. Heimir Hallgrímsson will need to be at his motivational best in the dressing room.
Dara O’Shea commits a foul throw on the stroke of half-time. One of those halves…
It’s a positive spell for Ireland as Szmodicz picks up the scraps laying off to Ferguson in the next play, but the angle is too tight and Lukas Hradecky saves his shot.
Finn Azaz calls the Finnish goalkeeper into action but it’s routine for him given the lack of power in the Middlesbrough player’s shot. The opportunity came about after Evan Ferguson dispossessed Finland.
The Finnish wall does its job as Brady fails to beat them, and Finland avoid the danger once again.
