QATAR 2022 QUALIFIER

Finland take charge of play-off spot in Group D with win

File photo of Finland coach Markku Kanerva. Photo: Igor Russak/dpa.

Finland had a mixed first half with Teemu Pukki missing a penalty before Marcus Forss struck on the half hour

Finland moved into second spot in World Cup qualifying Group D on Saturday with just one game left after a 3-1 win away to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Second is worth a play-off spot for Qatar 2022.

France top the group while Finland now lead third-placed Ukraine by two points. They next host France on Tuesday while Ukraine visit Bosnia, who were eliminated by the defeat.

Finland had a mixed first half with Teemu Pukki missing a penalty before Marcus Forss struck on the half hour.

Jukka Raitala was then sent off on 37 minutes but the 10-man Finns increased their lead through Robin Lod after the break.

Luka Menalo pulled one back only for Finland defender Daniel O'Shaughnessy to seal victory.