Evan Ferguson’s fourth senior international goal handed the Republic of Ireland a 1-0 Nations League victory over Finland as Caoimhin Kelleher saved a penalty to see them across the line.
The 20-year-old Brighton striker’s header in the final minute of the first half proved sufficient to add three more points to those his side secured in the reverse fixture in Helsinki last month, but only after Liverpool keeper Kelleher had kept out substitute Joel Pohjanpalo’s second-half spot-kick.
Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has now won two of the five matches for which he has been in charge, but the fact that Ireland have tasted victory just eight times in their last 34 competitive outings fixtures serves as a reminder that they remain a work in progress.
FT | Three points and a clean sheet to secure third place in the group!#COYBIG | #IRLFIN pic.twitter.com/jOluJjSj0B
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 14, 2024
However, a fit-again Ferguson, aided by the invention of winger Mikey Johnston and the movement and industry of Sammie Szmodics and a general tenacity in defence suggests a measure of improvement even if theywere grateful to the woodwork for two first-half escapes.
Kaan Kairinen produced the game’s first attempt with 14 minutes gone, but cleared the crossbar by some distance, much to the enjoyment of the locals, although Liam Scales had to throw himself into the path of the midfielder’s 16th-minute shot after Nikolai Alho and Robin Lod had exchanged passes down the right to open Ireland up.
They thought they had taken a 23rd-minute lead with their most fluent move of the game to that point when Szmodics rounded keeper Lukas Hradecky to finish after running on to Ferguson’s superb pass, but he has slightly mistimed his run and an offside flag ruined his celebrations.
Ferguson saw a long-range attempt loop over with Hradecky wrong-footed two minutes later with Hallgrimsson’s men warming to their task, but they were fortunate to escape 14 minutes before the break when Alho robbed Johnston and fed Lod, who curled a left-foot shot across Kelleher, but saw the ball come back off the far post.
Striker Benjamin Kallman acrobatically headed just wide from an Antman cross and was then denied one-on-one by Kelleher, and Hradecky had to tip over Szmodics’ well-struck effort after he had muscled defender Arttu Hoskonen off the ball.
Matt Doherty – back in the starting line-up after initially being left out of the squad – powered a free-header wide from Johnston’s corner with four minutes of the half remaining, but it took Nathan Collins’ intervention to turn Antman’s goal-bound effort on to the same post which had earlier denied Kallman, and the Republic made the most of their second escape on the stroke of half-time.
Johnston tricked his way past Alho once again and chipped the most teasing of crosses into the box for Ferguson to head home from close range.
If the first half had ended in explosive fashion, the start of the second was prosaic by comparison with Szmodics’ foraging runs and Peltola’s willingness to drill cross-field passes out to Alho all it had to recommend it.
Johnston went just wide after cutting inside Lod from Doherty’s driven pass, but Kelleher was relieved to see Pohjanpalo steer a first-time shot just over from fellow substitute Daniel O’Shaughnessy – his father was born in Ireland – with 22 minutes remaining.
Ferguson’s evening took a turn for the worse with 14 minutes remaining when, after a VAR review, he was adjudged to have blocked O’Shaughnessy’s hooked attempt with his arm and German referee Harm Osmers belatedly pointed to the spot.
But Kelleher guessed correctly as he dived to his right to save Pohjanpalo’s attempt from 12 yards before claiming the loose ball, and the striker further fluffed his lines in stoppage time when he fell over inside the box after being presented with a chance to redeem himself.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
