England managed to regain some dignity after their disastrous Uefa Nations League defeat to Greece, but their victory against Finland in Helsinki left much to be desired. Despite the 3-1 scoreline, the performance raised more concerns than it resolved.
Interim manager Lee Carsley made bold changes, dropping Jordan Pickford for Dean Henderson and shaking up the lineup with six fresh faces. Yet, England still struggled to impress for much of the match.
It was Jack Grealish who calmed early nerves, finding the net in the 18th minute after a beautiful assist from Angel Gomes. Finland, though ranked 64th in the world and pointless in the tournament, refused to back down. Fredrik Jensen was their most dangerous threat, missing two prime opportunities that could have further rattled England’s shaky defense.
The game only shifted in England’s favor when Trent Alexander-Arnold, deployed out of position at left-back, produced a stunning 25-yard free-kick in the 74th minute to finally break Finland’s resistance. Declan Rice sealed the win with a close-range strike six minutes from the end, giving England a flattering scoreline that did little to hide their frailties.
For Finland, it was a cruel outcome after a valiant display. Arttu Hoskonen’s late goal, following England’s sloppy defending from a corner, was a well-earned consolation for the 32,000-strong crowd that had cheered the underdogs throughout.
England Still Lacking Spark
This win may have temporarily erased the memory of Wembley’s humiliation, but it was far from a performance to inspire confidence. Carsley’s men looked disjointed for long spells, particularly in the second half when Finland were pressing for an equalizer. Jensen’s glaring miss from six yards out kept England in control, but the vulnerability at the back remained alarming.
Carsley’s gamble on Henderson in goal didn’t backfire, though the Palace keeper had little to do. Alexander-Arnold, experimented at left-back, was a rare bright spot with his world-class free-kick, yet England still lacked the fluidity and intensity that fans expect from the national side.
Grealish’s goal was a reminder of his resurgence, while captain Harry Kane, back from injury, looked far from his sharpest. And for Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, the night was a difficult one. After being played out of position against Greece, Palmer was back on the right flank but failed to shine. Replaced by Noni Madueke in the 68th minute, Palmer seemed a shadow of the star who lit up the Premier League this season.
Bigger Tests Ahead
While the win in Finland was crucial for morale, the questions surrounding Carsley’s tenure and England’s future remain. With just one more camp scheduled before the end of Carsley’s interim reign, the pressure will be on to restore confidence and cohesion to a side that has yet to truly click.
For now, England can breathe a sigh of relief. But the real challenges lie ahead, and the doubts about this team’s ability to deliver on the big stage are far from dispelled.