England returned to winning ways against Finland as Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a stunning free-kick to lift Lee Carsley’s side to victory in Helsinki.
The full-back curled an excellent free-kick into the top corner from 25 yards to double England’s lead after the visitors had lost their momentum following Jack Grealish’s first-half opener.
Declan Rice then added a third for England on the counter-attack as Ollie Watkins came off the bench to make an impact after replacing Harry Kane. Finland pulled one back late on through a corner, with Arttu Hoskonen left unmarked.
But the result was a positive one for Carsley overall with the interim manager returning to a more conventional formation following the disastrous defeat at home to Greece on Friday, and three points gets England back on track in their Nations League campaign.
Follow all the latest reaction to England’s win below:
Lee Carsley says England job ‘deserves world-class coach that has won trophies’
Interim England manager Lee Carsley appears to have distanced himself further from taking on the role permanently after admitting the job “deserves a world-class coach that has won trophies”.
The 50-year-old’s suggestion after Thursday’s surprise defeat to Greece he will “hopefully” be returning to his role with the under-21s following next month’s fixtures was confusing.
And his admission before the 3-1 Nations League win over Finland that he did not formally apply for the vacancy before the August 2 deadline – he was appointed as temporary boss a week later – backed up his continued assertions he is focusing on getting the side through the three international breaks he was tasked with.
But after victory in Helsinki, Carsley gave further insight into how he sees the position by telling ITV 1: “My bosses have made it totally clear what they need from me.
“This job deserves a world-class coach that has won trophies and been there and done it – and I’m still on the path to doing that.”
FT: Finland 1-3 England
Some interesting reaction on ITV between Ian Wright and Roy Keane.
Keane says that he “still can’t believe how bad Trent Alexander-Arnold is defensively”, while Wright expresses worry over “how easily England can be broken in respect of the transition”.
Up next
England will play their final two Nations League group matches in November, with the first taking place against Greece in Athens on 14 November.
The Three Lions take on Ireland three days later on 17 November at Wembley.
Jack Grealish reveals £500 bet with Trent Alexander-Arnold over England free-kick
Jack Grealish revealed he owes Trent Alexander-Arnold £500 after making a bet with his England team-before he scored his stunning free-kick in the 3-1 win over Finland.
Alexander-Arnold’s brilliant set-piece doubled England’s lead in Helsinki and lit up a difficult second half, before Declan Rice added a late third to give interim manager Lee Carsley a much-needed win.
Grealish, who dedicated his opening goal to his baby daughter after becoming a dad earlier this month, stood over the free-kick with Alexander-Arnold and said he would give the Liverpool defender a bonus if he scored.
Jack Grealish reveals £500 bet with Trent Alexander-Arnold over England free-kick
The Liverpool forward stepped up to double England’s lead after Grealish gave him an extra incentive
FT: Finland 1-3 England
Declan Rice is the final player to speak to ITV, and he emphasises that he is “buzzing” for Grealish.
“He’s a massive boost for England,” he adds.
On his goal, he says that he “saw a load of space to run into and thought, just keep going. If you don’t get in the box you don’t score”.
He adds that he is “delighted” for Lee Carsely.
“Since he’s come in, its been so rereshing. He’s been so honest, so upfront, [he] just says to go out and play with freedom.
“[We’re] really buying into what they want to do,” he says before he leaves.
FT: Finland 1-3 England
Lee Carsley is next to speak to ITV. He says that England “were looking for a reaction, that was a big thing”.
“I think they’ve shown that they respond well, in the best way. I thought we were a lot better tonight.
“We played a lot more controlled, we had massive possession, created a lot of chances, but I think we can still do better.
“The way they set up, they were well organised. Not a lot of space, we had to create that space, but if you have as much possession as we did then you’re always going to get a chance,” he adds.
On Alexander-Arnold, he says: “It’s important that when we’ve got players of that quality, we play to their strengths”.
On his position, he adds: “I’ve not thought that much about it, I keep saying the same thing.
“It’s a privileged poisiton I’m in, I’m really enjoying it.
“I’m totally in the middle, my bosses have made it clear what they need from me. This job deserves a world class coach who’s won trophies, and I’m still learning.”
England player ratings as Cole Palmer and Harry Kane struggle against Finland
England had a mixed night against Finland in the Nations League but returned to winning ways under Lee Carsley with victory in Helsinki.
The interim manager returned to a more conventional system following Thursday’s shock defeat at home to Greece and Jack Grealish gave the visitors a deserved lead as he finished off a slick move.
England rather lost their way in the second half, with Harry Kane and Cole Palmer struggling in an attack that didn’t always click into life, and Fredrik Jensen should have equalised for the hosts.
But the Finland forward blazed over from inside yards before Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled England’s lead with an excellent free-kick in the 74th minute, firing into the top corner from 25 yards.
Declan Rice added a third, following a strong run from substitue Ollie Watkins, before Finland pulled one back late on following a corner to spoil Dean Henderson’s clean sheet.
England player ratings as Cole Palmer and Harry Kane struggle against Finland
Finland 1-3 England: Palmer and Kane were brought off before goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice wrapped up victory
FT: Finland 1-3 England
Jack Grealish is the first to speak to ITV. He says that England “probably could’ve had a few more” tonight.
“It was difficult at times in the first half. We went in at half-time with a one goal lead and then we dominated.
“At the end, [we were] a bit gutted to concede from a set piece, but we needed a win.”
On his goal, he says that it “all comes from the manager, [he] lets me play with that freedom.
“We know what a top player he is,” he adds regarding Angel Gomes.
Grealish adds that he joked to Alexander-Arnold that “if you score this I’ll give you 500 quid, and he slapped it top bins”.
“I don’t think its been difficult. Whatever happens, there’ll always be some people saying stuff.
“In my honest opinion I don’t really get it. Hes a top, top manager, I love playing for him,” he says regarding Lee Carsley.
Nations League – League B Group 2
With that win, England remain second in League B Group 2, level on nine points with Greece, who play Ireland later today (with kick-off at 7.45pm BST). Greece currently sit ahead of the Three Lions on goal difference.
The race for promotion may well hinge on England’s result in Athens in November.
FULL-TIME! Finland 1-3 England
“A decent win for England but not exactly a convincing one.
“Certainly, this international break has probably diluted Lee Carsley's arguments for the job a little - if he even wants it. If he does stay, though, it is by now clear that Angel Gomes - or a player like Angel Gomes is essential to the team's make-up. It is even more clear that he is going to have figure out complementary configurations for this attack.
“That is almost the ‘problem’ of having so many good players. There's pressure to play them all but they don't necessarily work well together. Here, despite all the clamour for younger talent, Jack Grealish showed he may be the best suited for Carsley's approach. He summed that up with a fine goal, that set England on the way to a 3-1 win.
“They still cough up a lot, though, and it's a slight concern that Cole Palmer and Jude Bellingham were both relatively ineffective. Trent Alexander-Arnold is another, however, who looks like he revels under Carsley.”
