World Cup qualifiers: Finland beat Bosnia 3-1 to boost their qualifying expectations

Ten players regained hope for reaching the 2022 World Cup finals in Finland on Saturday with a 3-1 win in Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group D after a tough performance in a fierce atmosphere.

The result left the Finns second in the group with 11 points from seven games, behind the French leader and world champion, who will take on Kazakhstan later on Saturday. Third-placed Ukraine has nine points ahead of Bosnia with seven.

Bosnia ruled out two chances before their goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic saved Teemu Pukki’s penalty in the 25th minute after Miralem Pjanic made a long-range effort inside the area, but the visitors took the lead four minutes later.

Pukki made up for his poor shot as he gave a low cross after a desperate attempt by Bosnian Glen Kamara and Anel Ahmedhodzic, which bounced off Finnish Marcus Forss in the back of the net.

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The visitors were very close to gaining the lead with a marvelous free kick after 37 minutes, but Jedka Raitala made a beautiful one-handed save.

With a more cheerful defense, Finland doubled their lead in the 52nd minute as Pukki gave Robin Lod time and space to take the ball back, which he fired a hard shot from inside the post from 10 yards out.

The home side came back in the middle of the second half when Luka Menalo introduced a cross from substitute Amer Goja, but hopes of a return were thwarted by another defensive error in the 73rd minute.

Defender Daniel O’Shaughnessy put the ball into the back of the net after a long cross from the right after a static Bosnian defense went straight into his path, prompting home fans to ridicule their team’s poor performance.

The Bosnians, who cannot qualify for next year’s tournament in Qatar, are at home to Ukraine in the final match that Finland will take on France on Tuesday. The winner of the team will qualify for the finals, while the runner-up will advance to the playoffs.