France End Finland's World Cup Hopes

 First faced off against second in this final FIFA World Cup Group D qualifier, with visitors France having already secured their place in the showpiece event next year thanks to an emphatic 8-0 win over Kazakhstan last time out.

 While Finland could not catch ‘Les Bleus’, they knew a win would secure a place in the play-offs. 

In fact, as long as they matched Ukraine’s result against Bosnia and Herzegovina, they would have also confirmed their spot as group runners-up. 

The best chance of the opening exchanges fell to Moussa Diaby, who could only fire his shot straight at Lukáš Hrádecký from ten yards out.

 The hosts, meanwhile, went closest through talisman Teemu Pukki, who was involved in 70% of Finland's goals this qualifying campaign. 

However, his tame shot was easily saved by Hugo Lloris, leaving the scores level at HT.

 A slow start to the second half saw France introduce Benzema and Kingsley Coman into the fray as they looked to end their qualification process with three points. 

On the hour mark, news of Ukraine’s lead in Sarajevo filtered through to the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, which saw Finland immediately increase their urgency. 

However, things soon got even worse for the ‘Huuhkajat’ when Benzema’s deflected strike sailed past Hrádecký to make it 1-0, leaving Finland with a lot to do in the closing stages of the game. 

 To Finland's credit, they responded well to going behind, throwing on attackers and pressing France high up the field. 

That risky tactic was devastatingly punished on the counter-attack, though, with Mbappé beating his marker for pace before producing a stunning curling finish from the edge of the area to wrap up the win. 

The French’s latest triumph sees them finish Group D with five wins, three draws and only three goals conceded, surely making them one of the favourites to lift the trophy in the Middle East next winter.

Source: FlashScore