Benjamin Kallman scored the only goal of the game to help Finland produce one of the narrow football results of the weekend in Euro 2024 qualifying. Following Thursday’s 2-0 victory against San Marino, this was a more gloomy night against harder opponents, and the result dealt a significant blow to hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 even at this early point of the season. Northern Ireland appeared to be trailing Finland until Benjamin Kallman scored after 28 minutes, and although improving while chasing the game, the hosts were unable to level when Dion Charles’ 62nd-minute strike was ruled back for handball. It wasn’t the night O’Neill had hoped for on his return to the stadium where he spent so much of his first tenure.
O’Neill made one change, replacing George Saville, and challenged Shea Charles and Conor Bradley, both adolescents, to deliver again after their outstanding displays in Serravalle. That worked in that Charles was once again tight and tidy with the ball at the base of midfield, and Bradley was the brightest spark pushing forward, but Northern Ireland’s performance felt lethargic. They didn’t really threaten until the 21st minute when they took advantage of a potentially costly error by skipper Craig Cathcart.
Instead, the Watford defender recovered from a sloppy handling error to rip the ball away from Norwich striker Teemu Pukki, allowing Bradley to run down the right. The winger, who is on loan from Liverpool to Bolton, then sent the ball back to clubmate Dion Charles, who shot wide. Northern Ireland, on the other hand, was giving Finland too much time on the ball when defending, and it cost them when the visitors took the lead with their first serious sight of goal just before the half-hour mark.
With a low ball from the right by Robin Lod, Kallman beat Bailey Peacock-Farrell at the far post. Peacock-Farrell then made a fantastic save to deny Pukki’s close-range shot before Dan Ballard blocked the follow-up. Northern Ireland won the first half, however, Conor Washington’s handball claims against Nikolai Alho were turned down after his shot in the box was blocked.
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