England successfully defeated Finland with a score of 2-0 in the matchday 2 of the 2024/2025 UEFA Nations League held at Wembley, London, Tuesday (10/9/2024).
Harry Kane became the star of England’s victory over Finland by scoring two goals, all of which were scored in the second half.
Thanks to this result, England is now ranked second in Group 2 League B with Greece at the top with the same points, 6. Meanwhile, Finland is slumped at the bottom of the standings without any points at all.
England dominated the game from the start. England’s attempt on goal was only in the 20th minute. Harry Kane fired a shot, but the ball was saved by the opposing goalkeeper.
A minute later, Bukayo Saka shot from inside the penalty box. The attempt was also blocked by the Finnish goalkeeper.
England then made two attempts in front of the penalty box in the 33rd minute. All of them still did not produce results.
Despite continuing to press, England were unable to score a goal. The score was 0-0 until halftime.
England only broke the deadlock in the second half or precisely in the 57th minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s assist was finished into a goal by Kane. The score was 1-0 for England.
England’s attacks became more intense after that goal. On the other hand, additional goals were still difficult to create.
England could increase their lead to 2-0 in the 76th minute. Kane scored again and this time by utilizing Noni Madueke’s assist.
England failed to create additional goals in the remaining time. The match ended 2-0 for England.
This result puts England at the top of the standings with six points. Points and goals are the same as Greece.
Both teams have six points. However, Greece’s goal difference is better than England’s. Ireland and Finland are in third and fourth place, with no points.
Greece, in another match in the UEFA Nations League, beat Ireland 2-0.
“It was a big night for me, obviously very proud to reach 100 England caps. I wanted to score goals, I wanted to help the team,” Kane said.
It was a second successive 2-0 win for England caretaker manager Lee Carsley, who took over on an interim basis after Gareth Southgate resigned following England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Carsley could remain in the job for a while longer if the search for Southgate’s permanent replacement continues beyond the next international break in October.
