The Republic of Ireland recorded their second win of this season's UEFA Nations League campaign with a 1-0 Victory over Finland in the Aviva Stadium.

Evan Ferguson gave the home side the lead just on the stroke of half time whereas a heroic double save by Caoimhin Kelleher from a Finnish penalty in the second half ensured the victory for Ireland.

Heimir Hallgrímsson made four changes to the side that played Greece with Festy Ebosele, Mikey Johnston, Matt Doherty and Callum O'Dowda all coming into the starting 11. 

Following a positive opening period for Ireland, the first opportunity for the home side came in the 15th minute with Evan Ferguson’s cross forcing Hradecky into a smart save at his near post. 

Jason Knight was next to have an opportunity on the Finnish goal following some excellent build-up play from Ebosele on the left, Knight was given time to strike from the edge of the area with the ball just going over. Szmodics did have the ball in the net for Ireland in the 23rd minute with a well-taken effort from a Ferguson layoff but he was ruled to be offside in the run-up to the goal. 

Finland was to hit the framework in the 31st minute as Alho intercepted Johnston and played a short pass to Lod whose curling effort from the edge of the area struck the post. Szmodics forced an excellent save from Hradecky in the 38th minute after tussling for the ball on the edge of the area his shot could only be parried over by the Finnish netminder. 

That effort was quickly followed by another excellent chance for Ireland as a corner to the back post was met by the unmarked Matt Doherty whose header flashed wide.

What proved to be the winner was to come in the 45th minute.  Some excellent play and footwork down the left from Johnston saw his cross met by Ferguson at the back post who rose highest to nod it home to give Ireland the lead. 

The first chance in the second half fell to Finland in the 55th minute when Uronen’s effort inside the Irish area looped over Kelleher’s crossbar. Ireland went close to adding a second with Johnston’s effort in the 62nd minute beating the outstretched Hradecky but just going wide of his far post. 

In the 68th minute, O'Shaughnessy's cross from the left was met in the area by Pohjanpalo, whose first-time attempt narrowly missed the mark, giving Finland their best chance to level the score.

Finland would have a brilliant opportunity to get themselves back into the game. A VAR review determined that Evan Ferguson had handled the ball in the area and Finland were awarded a penalty with 13 minutes left on the clock.

Kelleher made a fantastic one-handed stop from  Pohjanpalo's penalty then got up to smothered the second ball to produce the double save. A huge moment that looked set to seal the win.

In the final ten minutes, Szmodics nearly got Ireland a second goal after a breakaway run from the right saw the forward cut inside and attempt a low shot that Hradecky did well to stop. 

Ireland will complete their Nations League campaign with an away tie to England in Wembley this Sunday. 

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher (GK), Doherty (O'Shea 75), O'Dowda, Scales, Cullen, Szmodics (Cannon 84), Ferguson (Azaz 75), Johnston (Manning 84), Knight, Ebosele (Molumby 75), Collins (C)

Subs not used: O'Leary (GK), Travers (GK), Parrott, O'Brien, Moran, McAteer, McGuinness.

Finland: Hradecky (C), Peltola (O'Shaughnessy 58), Ivanov, Hoskonen, Kamara, Antman (Pohjanpalo 63), Lod, Källman (Pukki 83), Kairinen, Alho, Uronen (Håkans 63)

Subs not used: Joronen (GK), Sinisalo (GK), Valakari, Pikkarainen, Tenho, Nissilä, Suhonen, Niskanen

Booked: O’Dowda (IRL), Knight (IRL)

Sent Off: None

Player of the Match: Caoimhin Kelleher 

Referee: Harm Osmers (GER)

Attendance: 39,163

By Ciaran Callan