Finns bounce back to beat Belgium

Finland got their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying bid back on track with a win that all but ended Belgium's slim hopes of reaching the finals from Group A.

Well placed
Goals from Jonatan Johansson and Alexei Eremenko Jr ensured Finland bounced back from Saturday's home defeat by Serbia in style against opponents forced to play most of the second half with ten men after Marouane Fellaini's dismissal. Roy Hodgson's team are now level on points with second-placed Serbia and Portugal; Belgium are seven adrift of that trio with six games remaining.

Advantage Finland
Belgium, beaten 2-1 at home by Portugal at the weekend, created the first opening in the second minute, Emile Mpenza putting a header wide, yet this proved one of few chances in a half in which they mainly had to defend. Markus Heikkinen gave Stijn Stijnen early work with a long-range strike, while Joonas Kolkka and Eremenko fired into the crowd from distance. Kolkka then delivered a perfect centre on 27 minutes which was well met in the centre of the area by Johansson to put Finland ahead. Although Tom De Mul and Steven Defour combined to carve out an opportunity for Belgium, this was nodded over by Defour.

Doubling up
Seven minutes into the second period, Fellaini fouled Hannu Tihinen and earned his second yellow card to leave his side with an uphill struggle. And it proved too steep a task with the hosts doubling their advantage in the 71st minute. Johansson was the provider as his cross from the left picked out midfielder Eremenko on the right of the penalty box and he made no mistake with a finish from ten metres. Finland next take on Kazakhstan on 22 August when Belgium welcome Serbia.