World Cup qualifiers: Republic of Ireland secure impressive away victory over Finland

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Last updated on 22 minutes ago.From the section Football

The Republic of Ireland secured an early boost to their World Cup qualification hopes with an impressive 2-1 away victory over Finland.

Denise O'Sullivan capitalised on a goalkeeping error to head home the winner for Vera Pauw's side just before the hour mark in Helsinki.

Megan Connolly had given them a half-time lead with a superb free-kick that was equalised by Adelina Engman.

The Republic lost their opening Group A qualifier at home to Sweden last week.

They remain in third place in the table, three points behind the Finns in second, with leaders Sweden on nine points after winning all three of their opening games.

Finland, who are expected to be the Republic's main rivals for second place in the group, laid seige to the visitors' goal in the final minutes but the Irish defence stood firm to hold on for the win.

The Republic took the lead in the 10th minute through an excellent Connolly free-kick from just outside the box for her second international goal.

The Brighton winger struck a lovely curling effort that was heading for the top corner and seemed to go in via a touch from goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela and the crossbar.

They went in a goal up at the break but the hosts equalised seven minutes into the second half when Engman placed a well-controlled volley beyond Courtney Brosnan and in.

However, the Republic restored their lead within four minutes when O'Sullivan stooped at the back post to head home a Heather Payne cross after goalkeeper Korpela failed to complete what looked like a routine catch.

Katie McCabe twice came close for the Republic with left-foot strikes midway through the second half, before her side held on in the closing stages for a crucial victory.

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Line-ups

Finland Women

Formation 4-4-2

23Korpela
3Hyyrynen
16Westerlund
15Kuikka
5Koivisto
7Engman
10Alanen
20Summanen
4ÖlingSubstituted forSainioat 86'minutes
17Franssi
18SällströmSubstituted forRantanenat 89'minutes

Substitutes

1Myllyoja
2Pikkujämsä
6Auvinen
8Ahtinen
9Kemppi
11Heroum
12Tamminen
13Rantanen
14Tunturi
19Sainio
21Nyström
22Rantala

R. of Ireland Wom

Formation 5-3-2

1Brosnan
13O'Gorman
5Fahey
4Quinn
3McCarthy
11McCabe
17FinnBooked at 71mins
6Connolly
10O'Sullivan
15QuinnSubstituted forJarrettat 75'minutes
14Payne

Substitutes

2Walsh
7Caldwell
8Kiernan
9Barrett
12Jarrett
16Moloney
18Farrelly
19Grant
20Noonan
21Clancy
22McLaughlin
23Badana

Live Text

Match ends, Finland Women 1, Republic of Ireland Women 2.
Second Half ends, Finland Women 1, Republic of Ireland Women 2.
Foul by Natalia Kuikka (Finland Women).
Jamie Finn (Republic of Ireland Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner, Republic of Ireland Women. Conceded by Anna-Kaisa Westerlund.
Attempt blocked. Heather Payne (Republic of Ireland Women) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is blocked.
Foul by Adelina Engman (Finland Women).
Jamie Finn (Republic of Ireland Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Finland Women. Amanda Rantanen replaces Linda Sällström.
Attempt missed. Linda Sällström (Finland Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Tuija Hyyrynen.
Attempt missed. Tuija Hyyrynen (Finland Women) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Attempt saved. Emma Koivisto (Finland Women) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Anna-Kaisa Westerlund.
Attempt blocked. Tuija Hyyrynen (Finland Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Tuija Hyyrynen (Finland Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sanni Franssi.
Attempt missed. Sanni Franssi (Finland Women) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Attempt blocked. Linda Sällström (Finland Women) header from the right side of the six yard box is blocked.
Substitution, Finland Women. Essi Sainio replaces Ria Öling.
Attempt blocked. Adelina Engman (Finland Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tuija Hyyrynen.
Attempt blocked. Ria Öling (Finland Women) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Linda Sällström.
Substitution, Republic of Ireland Women. Rianna Jarrett replaces Lucy Quinn.