Not imposing, not risking, England had a difference in quality and did what was necessary to win Finland 3-1. Grealish, Alexander-Arnold and Rice scored.
England came with six changes in the eleven and mainly the new goalkeeper Henderson. Carefully defensively, Lee Carsley’s players took advantage of the only good chance they had in the first half to score with Grealish (18′).
The Finns played the game evenly and had the best chances with Keskinen (33′) and Jensen (38′), but at half time they were losing 1-0.
The English came out in the second half with the intention of keeping the ball, not wasting energy and keeping the three points.
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The Finns missed the perfect opportunity when Jensen sent the ball out into an empty net (56′). England with its quality found another goal with Alexander-Arnold’s foul (74′) and sealed the win.
With the Finns in danger at the end, the English found space and scored the third goal with Rice (84′). The Finns eased back with a set piece and Hoskonen scored in the 87th minute for a 1-3 final.
England are unbeaten in their history against Finland in thirteen games with ten wins.
Finland: Hratetski – Alho (82′ Andman), Hoskonen, Ivanov, Peltola, Uronen – Kamara, Shuler (63′ Valta), Jensen (75′ Lund), Keskinen (75′ Puki) – Chelman (63′ Pojanpalo)
England: Henderson – Walker, Stones, Gay, Alexander-Arnold – Rice (85′ Gallagher), Gomes (80′ Lewis) – Palmer (69′ Madueke), Bellingham (80′ Fountain), Grealish – Kane (69′ Watkins)