Finland prolong Greece's miserable run

• Joel Pohjanpalo drives in only goal in 75th minute
• Greece have numerous efforts but rarely threaten Lukas Hradecky in visiting goal
• Greece have now lost all four Group F home games without scoring
• Finland up to fourth, Greeks four points adrift at bottom
• Next matches: Romania v Greece, Finland v Faroe Islands (7 September)

Finland punished Greece with their only serious effort of the game to maintain the hosts' miserable home form in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group F which leaves them adrift at the foot of the section.

With both teams under new coaches for the first time, it was little surprise that free-flowing football was in short supply. The hosts displayed more industry only to be stymied by wayward finishing and were made to pay with 15 minutes left as Joel Pohjanpalo crashed a winner into the top corner with Finland's only real sight of goal.

Greece had failed to score in any of their three previous home games in Group F – all ending in defeat – and though they showed plenty of intent in the first 45 minutes, it was clear why their goal tally stood at zero. Kyriakos Papadopoulos twice headed set pieces wide, No10 Kostas Fortounis sent a pair of efforts off target while Kostas Mitroglou was unable to test Lukas Hradecky from outside the area. The Finnish No1 was eventually called into action but Nikos Karelis's stinging drive was straight at him.

Kyriakos Papadopoulos battles for possession with Teemu Pukki©AFP/Getty Images

The story barely changed in the second period as Finland rarely ventured out of their half. Their goal was rarely threatened, however, as the Greek finishing continued to be wayward. Karelis spectacularly blazed a dropping ball high into the stands, setting the example for José Holebas and Andreas Samaris to flash equally wild drives off target from outside the area.

It was almost inevitable that the home side would be made to pay, and so it proved in the 75th minute. On a very rare charge upfield Berat Sadik's shot was blocked and the ball rolled into the path of fellow substitute Pohjanpalo who smashed into the top corner to leave Greece bottom of the section, four points below the Faroe Islands.