UEFA Nations League

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Nations League | League B

Oct 13, 2024 at 5pm UK

Helsingin olympiastadion

Finland
1 - 3
England

Hoskonen (87')

FT(HT: 0-1)

Grealish (18'), Alexander-Arnold (74'), Rice (84')

Finland vs. England player ratings: Jack Grealish leads the way as Harry Kane struggles

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter

Published: October 13 2024 | 19:30

Last updated: October 14 2024 | 15:51

Sports Mole provides player ratings from England's 3-1 victory over Finland in League B Group 2 of the UEFA Nations League.

England convincingly got back to winning ways in the UEFA Nations League with a 3-1 success over Finland in League B Group 2.

Lee Carsley's side responded to their shock loss to Greece through goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice before Arttu Hoskonen nabbed a late consolation for the otherwise toothless hosts.

England's success has temporarily propelled them level with Greece on nine points at the top of the group, while Markku Kanvera's side are all but consigned to the drop in fourth place with no points on the board.

Here, Sports Mole provides player ratings from the Three Lions' critical success in Helsinki.

England player ratings vs. Finland: Grealish man of the match as Harry Kane struggles

Jack Grealish celebrates scoring for England on October 13, 2024 © IconSport

GOALKEEPER

Dean Henderson - 6/10

Making his first England start - 1,431 days after his debut off the bench - he had a few simple saves to make but will be incredibly frustrated to lose his clean sheet right at the death - not that it was his fault at all.

DEFENCE

Kyle Walker - 6/10

Was caught out of position for one magnificent Finland chance in the second half but was mostly composed on the ball. Still, it feels as if his 34 years are now catching up to him.

John Stones - 7/10

Better than Thursday's display - came up with some crucial blocks when Finland were on top and misplaced just three of his 93 passes on the evening.

Marc Guehi - 6/10

Stepped in to good effect to win the ball back a couple of times and does not look out of place at all in the England team. Not totally dominant in the air, though.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7/10

Occupying an unfamiliar left-back role, he was asleep for Fredrik Jensen's horror miss, but all was forgiven thanks to that outrageous free kick when England desperately needed some breathing space. Typically slick and creative with his passing range too.

MIDFIELD

Declan Rice - 7/10

Overshadowed by Gomes in the first half, but a really well-taken finish to put the game to bed right at the death. Did not dominate the engine room as he sometimes does, though.

Angel Gomes - 7/10

A perfectly-weighted pass through to Grealish for England's opener, atoning for an error that gifted Finland an early shot. Certainly justified his selection tonight.

Jude Bellingham - 6/10

Some quintessentially clever turns and touches, but did not get much change out of the Finland defence in front of goal. Enjoyed the boos from the home crowd as he was taken off towards the end.

ATTACK

Cole Palmer - 6/10

Stepped in for the injured Bukayo Saka and was heavily involved in most of England's attacks, but nothing akin to his sensational Chelsea feats.

Harry Kane - 5/10

Maybe not operating at 100%, Kane was a shadow of his usual self on Sunday evening and did not offer a threat whatsoever up front. Taken off for Ollie Watkins with a quarter of the game remaining.

Jack Grealish - 8/10

Took his close-range finish with aplomb, although it would have been a shocking miss had he not been able to put it in the back of the net. Always a threat and just as much of a creative force too. A player who is loving life under Carsley's wing.

SUBSTITUTES

Ollie Watkins - 7/10

Produced a brilliant sprint to set up Rice's late goal - might there have been a case for him to start over Kane? Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Noni Madueke - 7/10

An immediate threat after his introduction, breezing past his man and sending a dangerous ball across, which had Finland at sixes and sevens. Continued to attack the backline at every opportunity - a really bright cameo from the Chelsea man.

Rico Lewis - 6/10

Came on for the final 10 and did not misplace a single pass.

Phil Foden - 5/10

Could not get involved after replacing Bellingham for the dying embers.

Conor Gallagher - 6/10

Made a couple of late tackles to help England shut up shop.

Finland player ratings vs. England: One 4 as defender stands out

Finland's Arttu Hoskonen celebrates scoring on October 13, 2024 © Imago

GOALKEEPER

Lukas Hradecky - 6/10

Not a lot he could have done with any of the goals, but showed some good handling and athleticism when called upon at other points in the game.

DEFENCE

Nikolai Alho - 5/10

No clue what he was trying to do with Grealish's goal - a poor attempt at playing offside before staying completely still and not trying to put in a last-ditch tackle. Did offer an attacking threat and was relatively good overall, but that mistake was inexcusable.

Arttu Hoskonen - 7/10

May have been burned for pace by Watkins for England's third, but was a standout figure defensively and then beat the same player to head in a consolation. Finland's best player by far.

Robert Ivanov - 6/10

Not as influential as his defensive partner but was often in the right place at the right time to hack the danger clear. Only lost one of his five duels too.

Jere Uronen - 5/10

Showed a small amount of threat on the left-hand side but was no match for England's attackers and found it difficult to make his mark.

MIDFIELD

Glen Kamara - 6/10

Tried to act as the midfield metronome for Finland and put in a tough-tackling display, as well as drawing a few fouls. Applaudable.

Rasmus Schuller - 6/10

Sprayed some nice passes about and got stuck in when the ball was there to be won. Solid but nothing spectacular. Subbed early in the second half.

Matti Peltola - 6/10

Also got stuck in when the ball was there to be won and some nice long passes to his teammates - the game often bypassed him, though.

ATTACK

Fredrik Jensen - 4/10

A wild finish from a tight angle with two players crowding him could be forgiven, but that horror miss from six yards out in the second half could not. Will be having nightmares about that chance, and rightly so.

Topi Keskinen - 6/10

Had an early chance thanks to Gomes's mistake but could not find the target. Should have had an assist with a crisp ball across to Jensen in the second period. Not bad overall.

Benjamin Kallman - 6/10

Troubled the England backline with a handful of shots and also created a handful of chances for his teammates. Can pat himself on the back but nowhere near ruthless enough. Subbed just after the hour.

SUBSTITUTES

Joel Pohjanpalo - 5/10

Put himself about after coming on and matched up to England's defenders physically, but was as toothless as most of his compatriots.

Leo Walta - 7/10

Sent a fizzing strike just wide that had Henderson worried for a brief moment and also provided the delivery for Hoskonen to meet. Not a half-bad cameo.