England sticks its head above water in Finland, North Macedonia controls Armenia

Second meeting in this international break with this 4th day of the Nations League. After falling heavily at home against Greece (1-2), England were expected to turn the corner this Sunday with this trip to the pitch at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium to face Finland. For this duel, the much-maligned new coach of the Three Lions lined up as the starting eleven with Dean Henderson in goal accompanied by a defense made up of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Marc Guéhi and Trent Alexander-Arnold. In midfield were Angel Gomes and Declan Rice, while Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish were further up, behind center forward and captain Harry Kane. The news has been gloomy for the English selection in recent days with rumors surrounding Thomas Tuchel as a possible successor to Lee Carsley.

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The first period was relatively balanced between the two nations. Dean Henderson even had to pull off two great saves to save his country (33rd, 45th). More realistic and efficient, it was ultimately the English who managed to open the scoring in the wake of Jack Grealish (18th). The one who was left behind during the last Euro took his revenge and scored valuable points. The whole opportunity came from the genius of Lille Angel Gomes, author of the decisive pass for Grealish. Despite great opportunities and a strong face displayed from the start of the match, the Finns returned to the locker room with a certain frustration and a lot of regrets. The game was balanced and the rest looked tempting.

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Alexander Arnold validates the success

In the second act, England came back with much better intentions. Twice, goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky repelled the danger (50th, 51st, 59th) respectively against Alexander Arnold, Palmer then Rice. With total domination in this round, the Three Lions finally defeated Finland in the last quarter of an hour. Indeed, with a long, off-center strike, Trent Alexander Arnold added to the English success, before Declan Rice signed it off a few minutes later (84th). The reduction in Hoskonen’s score (87th) will not change the outcome of the match to the delight of the English (1-3). A victory which relieves England and which temporarily allows Greece to equal points before this evening’s meeting against Ireland.

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In the other matches played simultaneously, Armenia hosted North Macedonia at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium. The Armenians fell (0-2) after the achievements of B. Miovski (72nd) and I. Alimi (85th). Moldova traveled to the pitch at the Ta’ Qali Stadium in the town of Ħ’Attard. The Moldovans were victims of the Reims talent of Teddy Teuma (87th, sp) and thus lost (0-1). And finally, a duel of small nations took place between Liechtenstein and Gibraltar. In Valduz, on the Rheinpark Stadion meadow, the Liechtensteiners and the Gibraltarians parted as good friends in a tasteless match with a goalless score (0-0). Note that Nicolas Hasler missed a penalty in the final seconds for Liechtenstein.