England bounced back from their shock defeat to Greece with a solid 3-1 win over Finland in Helsinki. Under interim manager Lee Carsley, the visitors returned to a more structured system, securing their third Nations League victory thanks to goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Declan Rice. Finland managed a late consolation goal, spoiling Dean Henderson’s clean sheet, but England’s overall performance suggested they are finding their rhythm again.
Grealish Sets the Tone with Early Strike
England started confidently, with Jack Grealish opening the scoring after just 20 minutes.
Grealish capitalized on a flowing team move, finishing Angel Gomes’ clever assist to put England ahead. Back in the lineup after missing the Greece defeat, Grealish continued to thrive under Carsley’s leadership, showing his quality in possession and combining well with Jude Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold. His goal reaffirmed his importance to England’s attacking setup, giving the team early control.
Despite dominating the first half, England lost some of their edge after the break. Harry Kane and Cole Palmer struggled to make an impact, with Palmer in particular appearing out of sorts. Meanwhile, Finland came close to leveling when Fredrik Jensen squandered a golden chance from six yards, firing over the bar to the relief of Henderson and his defense.
Alexander-Arnold’s Free-Kick Magic Rescues England
Just as Finland looked to grow into the match, Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled England’s lead with a spectacular free-kick in the 74th minute.
- The Liverpool star, playing as a left-back for the first time, curled a perfect 25-yard strike into the top corner, showcasing his renowned set-piece skills.
- Alexander-Arnold enjoyed a productive night, dictating play from the left channel and linking smoothly with England’s midfield and attack.
The free-kick not only restored England’s momentum but also marked Alexander-Arnold’s fourth international goal. His versatility and technical brilliance were on full display, offering Carsley a fresh tactical option in an unusual role.
Declan Rice and Watkins Shine Late in the Game
England’s third goal came in the final minutes as substitute Ollie Watkins drove through Finland’s defense to set up Declan Rice for a simple finish.
Rice, who seemed more comfortable in a familiar role, took advantage of the more balanced system to make occasional forward runs. His goal reflected the freedom he had on the night, and his partnership with Bellingham allowed England to control the midfield for large stretches.
Finland eventually found the back of the net from a corner, preventing Henderson from keeping a clean sheet in his first competitive appearance for England. Despite the late blemish, the result provided some much-needed positivity for Carsley’s side.
Mixed Performances Raise Tactical Questions Ahead of Future Fixtures
While the win offers encouragement, it also highlighted areas England need to address before their next Nations League outing.
| Player | Rating | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Jack Grealish | 7 | Scored opening goal |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | 7 | Scored free-kick, orchestrated play |
| Declan Rice | 7 | Scored, controlled midfield |
| Angel Gomes | 7 | Assisted Grealish with sharp pass |
| Cole Palmer | 5 | Struggled to influence the game |
| Harry Kane | 5 | Lacked impact in attack |
Angel Gomes’ impressive display justified his inclusion, as he provided the creativity England lacked against Greece. Meanwhile, Cole Palmer’s subdued outing raises questions about his recent form, with the Chelsea forward failing to replicate his usual quality.
The team will need to build on this performance to ensure they maintain their momentum in the competition. With Carsley still at the helm, tactical adjustments may be necessary to extract the best from key players like Kane and Palmer.
