England returned to winning ways as Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice fired Lee Carsley’s side to a much-needed, if at times flat, Nations League victory in Finland.
Reeling from Thursday’s alarming display and defeat against Greece at Wembley, the Euro 2024 runners-up could ill afford a slip up against the lowest ranked side in Group B2.
England did not fully convince against Finland but leave Helsinki as 3-1 winners thanks to Grealish’s cool first-half strike, Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick and Rice’s near-post finish.
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Arttu Hoskonen headed home a late consolation for the Nordic hosts, but Carsley’s men saw out an important result ahead of next month’s trip to Athens as they seek an immediate return to the Nations League top tier.
Grealish put England ahead with his fourth international goal – and second since Carsley’s interim appointment – following Angel Gomes’ exceptional pass, but they then lost their way.
Fredrik Jensen should have equalised as Finland pushed, only for Alexander-Arnold’s superb 25-yard free-kick to settle things.
Rice prodded home substitute Ollie Watkins’ cross to add gloss to the scoreline, with Hoskonen’s header giving a sold-out Olympiastadion something to cheer towards the end.