Friday. 29.03.2024

Fredrik Jensen did it again on Wednesday as Finland beat Ireland 1-0 for the second time in the campaign to go top of Nations League Group B4.

Jensen poked home on his second attempt in the 66th minute in Helsinki after a short goal kick from Darren Randolph, with Teemo Pukki stealing the ball to set up Jensen.

Norwich striker Pukki had aimed inches left twice in the first half while on the other end Enda Stevens was denied by the outside right post shortly before the goal and Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky saved well from Matt Doherty and Ronan Curtis late in the game.

Jensen, from Bundesliga side Augsburg, had also scored the 1-0 winner in their first meeting last month in Dublin, and netted once in a 2-0 against Bulgaria last week.

Top of the group

Euro 2020 qualifiers Finland  momentarily topped the group with nine points from four games, two ahead of Wales, who later took first place with 10 points after beating Bulgaria, last in the group. Winless Ireland is third with two points.

Lithuania and Albania drew 0-0 in another early game in Group C4.

Scheduled for later Wednesday were 18 more games, including another rematch of the 2018 World Cup final between Croatia and France, title holders Portugal v Sweden, Italy v Netherlands and England v Denmark.

Finland beat Ireland again in Nations League, again from Jensen