Finland 3-0 Lichtenstein: Teemu Pukki goals ensure home side qualify for Euro 2020, the first major finals in their history

  • The Norwich striker scored twice after the opener from forward Jasse Tuominen
  • Pukki has been in imperious form in qualifying, scoring nine goals in nine games 
  • Finland were the only Nordic nation not to have played at a major tournament

A Teemu Pukki brace helped Finland beat Lichtenstein and qualify for Euro 2020, the country's first ever major finals, sparking raucous scenes across Helsinki. 

The Norwich striker has been in imperious form throughout the campaign, bagging nine goals in his nine games to end 81 years of hurt for the Finns. 

The 29-year-old's brace came after the opener from BATE Borisov forward Jasse Tuominen, who struck on the 21-minute mark. 

Jubilant fans flood the pitch at the Sonera Stadium as Pukki et al ended 81 years of hurt

Jubilant fans flood the pitch at the Sonera Stadium as Pukki et al ended 81 years of hurt 

A Teemu Pukki brace helped Finland beat Lichtenstein and qualify for Euro 2020

A Teemu Pukki brace helped Finland beat Lichtenstein and qualify for Euro 2020

The 29-year-old's brace came after the opener from BATE Borisov forward Jasse Tuominen

The 29-year-old's brace came after the opener from BATE Borisov forward Jasse Tuominen

His first goal was a penalty on 64 minutes before he wrapped up the points 15 minutes from time after rounding the keeper and firing against a defender on the goal line before smashing home on the rebound. 


Going into the game, Finland were the only Nordic nation not to have played at a major tournament, but the 3-0 win secured their first passage as expected. 

The final whistle in Helsinki tonight prompted wild scenes at the packed Sonera Stadium, with hundreds, maybe thousands, of people streaming onto the pitch in celebration. 

Finnish fans celebrate victory at a covered fountain in central Helsinki after tonight's game

Finnish fans celebrate victory at a covered fountain in central Helsinki after tonight's game

Jubilant fans lay on their stomachs as the country enjoys news of their first ever qualification

Jubilant fans lay on their stomachs as the country enjoys news of their first ever qualification 

Despite temperatures of five degrees celsius several fans wen't shirtless after the historic win

Despite temperatures of five degrees celsius several fans wen't shirtless after the historic win

Finland flags filled the stadium and the main streets in the capital as fans party into the night

Finland flags filled the stadium and the main streets in the capital as fans party into the night

Teemu Pukki was mobbed after the game, his goals a main driver behind Finland's success

Teemu Pukki was mobbed after the game, his goals a main driver behind Finland's success

Finnish captain Tim Sparv is hoisted aloft after the final whistle secured a historic moment

Finnish captain Tim Sparv is hoisted aloft after the final whistle secured a historic moment

The final whistle in Helsinki tonight prompted wild scenes at the Sonera Stadium

The final whistle in Helsinki tonight prompted wild scenes at the Sonera Stadium

Finland sit second in Group J on 18 points, six behind Italy and seven ahead of Greece

Finland sit second in Group J on 18 points, six behind Italy and seven ahead of Greece

Finland head coach Markku Kanerva lets loose after his men secured an historic qualification

Finland head coach Markku Kanerva lets loose after his men secured an historic qualification

Paulus Arajuuri, 31, bursts into tears as he is overcome with emotion after qualifying

Paulus Arajuuri, 31, bursts into tears as he is overcome with emotion after qualifying 

It wasn't long before the party atmosphere enveloped the capital with pictures showing jubilant swathes of people flooding the city centre.  

Finland sit second in Group J on 18 points, six behind Italy and seven ahead of Greece in third. 

They take on Greece on Monday, with the former champions having bagged an important win over Armenia this evening, leapfrogging them into third and keeping playoff qualification hopes alive. 

Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people streamed onto the pitch in celebration at full time

Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people streamed onto the pitch in celebration at full time 

Fans on the pitch take pictures of fireworks overhead as the city prepared for a long night

Fans on the pitch take pictures of fireworks overhead as the city prepared for a long night

Captain Tim Sparv celebrates with Paulus Arajuuri, center, and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky

Captain Tim Sparv celebrates with Paulus Arajuuri, center, and goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky

Teemu Pukki celebrates his goal with teammates Jasse Tuominen, left, and Paulus Arajuur

Teemu Pukki celebrates his goal with teammates Jasse Tuominen, left, and Paulus Arajuur

The final whistle prompted emotional scenes in front of the home fans at the Sonera Stadium

The final whistle prompted emotional scenes in front of the home fans at the Sonera Stadium

The Finns have been close to qualification on several occasions but never quite made it. 

Under Roy Hodgson in 2008 qualifying they finished fourth in their group after drawing a must-win game against Portugal, failing to advance. 

They missed out on the 2016 tournament in France after finishing fourth in their qualifying group - which was topped by Northern Ireland. 

They have won six games this campaign however, ending a run of 32 failed qualifying campaigns for either the World Cup or European Championship - and with one game to spare. 

Pukki weaves around Benjamin Buchel of Liechtenstein to score his second of the game

Pukki weaves around Benjamin Buchel of Liechtenstein to score his second of the game

Finland's head coach Markku Kanerva watches as his side romped towards qualification

Finland's head coach Markku Kanerva watches as his side romped towards qualification 

Their success is in no small part down to former Celtic striker Pukki.

He started the Premier League campaign with a flurry of goals and despite not scoring in seven games, he still has the same amount as Marcus Rashford and Mo Salah, bagging six so far. 

Such is the interest in the man, his club have set up a 'Pukki Party' in a Helsinki night club tonight and even opened a pop-up Norwich City store in the city in a bid to capitalise on the interest in him. 

His country's qualification campaign started with a 2-0 loss to Italy but match day two saw them inflict that scoreline on Armenia. 

Finland legend Jari Litmanen and Finland's President Sauli Niinisto attend the historic match

Finland legend Jari Litmanen and Finland's President Sauli Niinisto attend the historic match 

On the cusp of history,  Pukki takes on some water and advice from coaching staff pre-game

On the cusp of history,  Pukki takes on some water and advice from coaching staff pre-game

That result in Yerevan started a mini run of 2-0 wins for Markku Kanerva's side. Bosnia and Herzegovina and tonight's opponents - in the reverse fixture in Vaduz - both fell to that score.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina game also marked the start of Pukki's scoring. He notched in the 56th and 68th minutes before grabbing one against Lichtenstein too. 

He scored in the next game, a penalty against Italy, but his side lost that game in September before getting thrashed 4-1 by Bosnia and Herzegovina a month later. 

But exactly a month ago, a 3-0 against Armenia - that included a customary brace from Pukki - kept them in a strong position before tonight's affair. 

'It would be huge to qualify,' captain Tim Sparv said before the game. 'I think it would be great for the players and the country as a whole. The hype around our team at the moment is greater than it's ever been and it's fantastic to be a part of it. 

'It will mean so much to a lot of people. Just three years ago I think Finland's ranking was close to 100 and now we're close to qualifying for a European Championship, so it would be an amazing achievement for us and every football fan in Finland.'

 

 

 

 

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