Match Report: England 2-0 Finland
- H. Kane (57′) (76′)
- R. Schüller (66′)
A brilliant brace from Harry Kane on his 100th appearance helps Three Lions to victory
Highlights: England 2-0 Finland
Watch the best of the action from Wembley as the Three Lions faced their first home game of the new Nations League campaign
England v Finland
UEFA Nations League
League B, Group 2 fixture
7.45pm BST, Tuesday 10 September 2024
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Harry Kane faced the press on Monday afternoon to preview Tuesday evening's Nations League clash with Finland, when he will receive his 100th England cap.
The Three Lions' skipper was joined by interim head coach Lee Carsley to discuss his international career, what he believes he can still achieve and preview the game.
Here is what the pair had to say in full.
Kane on winning 100 England caps…
"It's really special. Records like this don't really sink in while I'm still playing but this is one I'm extremely proud of. It shows great consistency over a long period of time. The others who have achieved it are some of our greatest ever. It's something I'm very excited for, I'll have my family there to enjoy it, and I'll look back at it with immense pride. I hope it can be a special night all round with a goal and a win."
On what he still hopes to achieve for England…
"I feel in really good shape, physically and mentally I'm in a good place. Watching Cristiano Ronaldo compete at 39 shows it's possible to keep going. I love this game and I love representing England and I don't want it to end any time soon. I want to improve and remain consistent. Who knows how many caps and goals I can get but I'm hungry for more and want to keep pushing the boundaries."
On the first week under Carsley…
"It's been really good, the boss has brought in a new energy after the disappointing end to the summer. It's been great to work with him and he has his own ideas and the way he wants to play. We've got a good mixture of experience and youth and we're looking forward to another game. I thought we played really well in Ireland and to be as comfortable as we were was a good stepping stone. Going into tomorrow, we're really excited to express ourselves. We want to score goals and create a load of chances."
On the England pathway at St. George's Park…
"I had some great coaches and playing with the best players in the country helped me see what level I was at. When I started out I wasn't touted as the next big thing and I had to work really hard. I think now the pathway helps the senior team because we're being pushed hard and the level goes up. The future is bright for us and there are a lot of exciting players on the horizon."
On his memories of Sven-Göran Eriksson, who will be remembered before the game at Wembley...
"He's one of our most famous and popular managers. It'll be a sad night for a lot of former England players. I didn't get to meet him personally but he was a great person from what I understand and he was really loyal to his players."
It's time to head live to @SpursOfficial's training ground 🚨@HKane and Lee Carsley are here to preview tomorrow's #NationsLeague game against Finland... 🗣️ https://t.co/qP9y4pjOo2
— England (@England) September 9, 2024
Carsley on Kane…
"I've only worked with him for seven days but you can see how motivated and committed he is and what a good example he is for the players. He's the first out for every session. We spoke on the phone when I got the job and you could tell straight away how motivated he is to win a tournament, which is brilliant for whoever comes in."
On his first match as interim head coach at Wembley…
"It was a really proud moment for me the other day and I want another great night for the players. I'm really excited for the game We'll make two or three changes, freshen things up a bit, but the group is really motivated and we should really look forward to the game at a ground like that. I want us to play with that control and be exciting to watch. Fans expect England to create chances at home and play with a tempo. Everyone is fit so no changes there. The way everyone's trained gives them a chance of playing minutes."
On how training has been…
"We're mindful that we've had six sessions and there are one or two things we've tried to implement. There were a lot of good things happening already and we've tried to make a few adjustments. The players are open to being a bit more risky in certain areas but we don't ask players to be in a position they're not capable of. I'm aiming to do a good job each day and see where it goes. The players should be getting the attention."
On his memories of Eriksson…
"I was never fortunate enough to meet him but Ashley [Cole] talks about the atmosphere he created and how much everybody enjoyed playing for him. He'll be remembered fondly by everybody I'm sure."
One day until matchday! 😃 pic.twitter.com/iwsUQRx63D
— England (@England) September 9, 2024
Finland in profile
Nickname: The Eagle-Owls
Coach: Markku Kanerva
Captain: Lucas Hradecky
UEFA EURO best performance: Group stage, 2020
Match Stats
● England are unbeaten in all eleven of their previous meetings with Finland (W9 D2), only facing Bulgaria more often without ever suffering defeat (P12 W8 D4).
● England will host Finland for the first time since a March 2001 World Cup qualifier, winning 2-1 in Sven-Göran Eriksson’s first competitive game in charge thanks to goals from Michael Owen and David Beckham.
● England lost their final home game under Gareth Southgate, 0-1 in a friendly against Iceland – the Three Lions haven’t lost back-to-back matches on home soil since November 2013 under Roy Hodgson (to Chile and Germany).
● Finland lost 0-3 against Greece in their previous outing, marking the second consecutive competitive match that they’ve lost by 3+ goals (1-4 v Wales previously). This is the first time they’ve lost back-to-back competitive games by at least three goals since October-November 1989 (1-6 v Germany, 0-3 v Netherlands).
● Lee Carsley’s first game in charge of England was a 2-0 victory over Republic of Ireland, while the last manager to win his first two competitive games was Fabio Capello in 2008. Indeed, the only managers to win their first two competitive fixtures without conceding a goal are Steve McClaren (2006), Ron Greenwood (1977) and Joe Mercer (1974).
● Harry Kane will make his 100th appearance for England, which would see him become just the tenth player to reach a century of games for the men’s team, and first since Wayne Rooney in November 2014. Only two players have scored in their 100th game for the Three Lions, with Rooney doing so versus Slovenia (2014) and Sir Bobby Charlton netting versus Northern Ireland in April 1970.
● Teemu Pukki has been directly involved in 12 goals in 18 appearances in the UEFA Nations League (eight goals and four assists), at least three times as many as any other player for Finland in the competition (Robin Lod, 4).
● Bukayo Saka completed six dribbles against Republic of Ireland last time out; his most in a single game for England to date (41st appearance). Indeed, Saka’s six completed dribbles accounted for half of his team’s total (6/12), as well as being more than Republic of Ireland’s players combined (5).
Head to head
The Three Lions have played Finland at men's senior level on eleven occasions, registering nine wins, drawing twice and losing none.
Last three meetings v Finland
England 2-1 Finland, International Match, 24 March 2001
The Three Lions ran out as narrow winners last time out when they hosted Finland at Anfield during their 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign. They had to come from behind too, after former Crystal Palace midfielder Aki Riihilahti put the Finns ahead in the first half. A Michael Owen goal two minutes before the break saw England equalise before David Beckham's goal early in the second half sealed the win.
Finland 0-0 England, International Match, 11 October 2000
Howard Wilkinson took charge of England on their last trip to Helsinki, following the resignation of Kevin Keegan after their defeat to Germany at Wembley four days earlier.
Finland 1-2 England, International Match, 3 June 1992
A brace from David Platt helped Graham Taylor's team come from behind to take victory in Helsinki, as the Three Lions prepared for their EURO campaign in Sweden later that summer.
England Squad News
Ticket Information
How to watch or stream
UEFA Nations League games will be shown live in the UK on ITV.
Angel Gomes makes his full England debut as interim head coach Lee Carsley changes four of his Three Lions XI for tonight's Nations League clash with Finland at Wembley.
Gomes, John Stones, Ezri Konsa and Rico Lewis come into Carsley's line-up, replacing Kobbie Mainoo, Marc Guéhi, Harry Maguire and Levi Colwill from Saturday's 2-0 win over Republic of Ireland.
Harry Kane leads the side out for his 100th international cap.
England: 1 Jordan Pickford, 2 Trent Alexander-Arnold, 3 Rico Lewis, 4 Declan Rice, 5 John Stones, 7 Bukayo Saka, 9 Harry Kane (C), 10 Jack Grealish, 11 Anthony Gordon, 14 Ezri Konsa, 19 Angel Gomes
Subs: 6 Harry Maguire, 8 Conor Gallagher, 12 Tino Livramento, 13 Dean Henderson, 15 Levi Colwill, 16 Marc Guéhi, 17 Morgan Gibbs-White, 18 Kobbie Mainoo, 20 Jarrod Bowen, 21 Eberechi Eze, 22 Nick Pope, 23 Noni Madueke
Ready to take on Finland! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/hA4xb0i0N0
— England (@England) September 10, 2024
Harry Kane marked his 100th international cap with a brilliant brace as England beat Finland 2-0 to extend their winning start under interim boss Lee Carsley.
Kane was presented with his golden cap ahead of the game and looked up for the occasion from the off, carrying the threat to a resilient Finland side determined to play party poopers.
The skipper broke the deadlock in an emphatic fashion early in the second half, lashing home from the edge of the box before curling in a delightful second to put the seal on a special evening.
He left the field to a standing ovation on 80 minutes before England saw out a victory which keeps them second in Group B2 of the UEFA Nations League, behind Greece only on goal difference, who they play next on October 10.
Before kick-off, Wembley paid tribute to much-loved former manager Sven-Göran Eriksson, who passed away at the end of August.
We will never forget you ❤️ pic.twitter.com/64hj7YGAvS
— England (@England) September 10, 2024
The Swede’s first competitive game in charge of The Three Lions came against Finland in 2001 and there was a great sense of occasion ahead of the first meeting between the sides since, highlighted by the travelling away fans who were in fine voice throughout.
There was much for them to admire from a defensive point of view in a first half England dominated to no avail, with centurion Kane in the thick of the action.
His early header back across goal sparked the first panic of the night and the England captain then saw a volley deflected over after Bukayo Saka’s far-post cross.
Kane then rifled an effort towards the top corner after a slide pass from Angel Gomes but was denied superbly by an outstretched hand from Lukas Hradecky, before Finland launched an immediate counter.
Only a Teemu Pukki foul on Ezri Konsa brought the attack to a halt, with the former Norwich striker looking lively after earlier being denied by a Rico Lewis block.
England were enjoying their best spell of the half and a deflected Saka effort nearly caught out Bayer Leverkusen’s Hradecky before Kane diverted a header home from a Saka cross only for an offside flag to quell the celebrations.
Topi Keskinen fired over from just outside the box in a small scare for the hosts but England finished the half on top, with Trent Alexander-Arnold twice going close.
England laid siege to the Finland goal early in the second half but Hradecky remained defiant, parrying away a Kane free-kick and bicycle kick either side of denying a low Anthony Gordon shot.
But Kane was determined to mark his night with a goal and did so brilliantly, shifting the ball onto his right in trademark fashion before unleashing a brutal effort past Hradecky into the roof of the net on 57 minutes
In doing so, he became only the third player after Bobby Charlton and Wayne Rooney to score on his 100th England appearance.
He then made sure of the points with an equally sweet second 14 minutes from time, sweeping home a first-time effort for his 68th England goal after a simple cutback from substitute and debutant Noni Madueke.
England: 1 Jordan Pickford (Everton), 2 Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), 3 Rico Lewis (Manchester City), 4 Declan Rice (Arsenal), 5 John Stones (Manchester City), 7 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), 9 Harry Kane (c) (Bayern Munich), 10 Jack Grealish (Manchester City), 11 Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), 14 Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa) 19 Angel Gomes (Lille)
Substitutes: 15 Levi Colwill (Chelsea) for Konsa 61’, 23 Noni Madueke (Chelsea) for Saka 66’, 21 Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) for Gordon 66’, 16 Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace) for Stones 80’, 20 Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) for Kane 80’
Subs not used: 6 Harry Maguire (Manchester United), 8 Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), 12 Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), 13 Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), 17 Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), 18 Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), 22 Nick Pope (Newcastle United)
Goals: Kane 57’, 76’
Interim head coach: Lee Carsley
Finland: 1 Lukas Hradecky, 3 Matti Peltola, 4 Robert Ivanov, 5 Arttu Hoskonen, 6 Glen Kamara, 9 Fredrik Jensen, 10 Teemu Pukki, 11 Rasmus Schuller, 13 Adam Stahl, 14 Topi Keskinen, 18 Jere Uronen
Substitutes: 19 Benjamin Kallman for Pukki 45’, 22 Ilmari Niskanen for Uronen 45’, 8 Robin Lod for Jensen 63’, 7 Oliver Antman for Keskinen 74’, 21 Leo Walta for Schuller 84’
Subs not used: 2 Leo Vaisanen, 12 Jesse Joronen, 15 Miro Tenho, 16 Urho Nissila, 17 Tomas Galvez, 20 Joel Pohjanpalo
Yellow cards: Schuller 63’
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