Paul Bergin’s Finland got their ElectroCity FIFA 20 European Championships off to the best possible start with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Caimin Brennan’s Denmark on Saturday evening.
The Finnish delegate left it late in the first half to get off the mark, some clever passing in the Danish third freeing up Norwich’s Teemu Pukki for a deft back-heel into the path of Simon Skrabb who turned into the box and let fly off his left to open the scoring.
Yussef Poulsen took control for the Danes on the restart, forcing his way past three Finnish defenders to find room to square in the box. The on-rushing Fischer could only fire low into the path of the goalkeeper who parried to safety.
A dozen passes off the parry later and Pukki (45+1) finds himself inside the Danish box, his effort curling all the way inside the right post to make it 2-0 heading into the break.
Finland found their third (55) with another contender for goal of the week, Pukki beating the offside trap to collect a lovely through ball from Uronen with 25 yards to go. One on one with the goal keeper, he passes off to Glen Kamara who taps home into an empty net to make it 3-0.
Denmarks high defensive line did them no favours as Skrabb turned provider for Pukki (66) who found himself in another one-on-one situation. This time, a low chip off his right foot made sure of his second and Finland’s fourth.
With the flood gates open and 24 minutes still to play on the clock, the game was abandoned at 4-0 and the full win awarded to Finland.
Finland now top Group B ahead of Belgium on goal difference.