Finland Beat Slovakia to Stay in World Cup Qualifying Hunt

Helmarit edge Slovakia thriller to reach six points in Group B3 

Finland beat Slovakia 4-2 in Helsinki for their second win in Group B3 of Women’s World Cup qualifying. Engman scored on her 100th cap as Helmarit move to six points.

Finland hold off Slovakia comeback to boost WC Qualifying bid...

 

Finland earned their second win in three Group B3 matches of the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers, beating Slovakia 4-2 in an entertaining contest at Bolt Arena in Helsinki.

Finland ran Portugal close in their March opener before conceding twice late. They then claimed a deserved home win over Latvia, moving to second in the group, ahead of Slovakia on goal difference.

Three points today would keep Finland in the hunt to top the group, and they made the perfect start. Katariina Kosola brought down Joanna Tynnilä’s long pass, stayed calm when through on goal, and put Finland ahead in the 4th minute.

A landmark moment came midway through the first half. After a flowing team move, Lotta Lindström held the ball up well on the edge of the box before setting up Adelina Engman, who capped her 100th cap with a classy finish.

But Slovakia pulled one back with 10 minutes left in the first half. Martina Surnovska slipped a neat through ball to Klaudia Fabová, who beat the advancing Anna Koivunen to make it 2-1.

The second half was decided in an eight-minute spell.

Helmarit struck again just after the hour mark, winning the ball back as Slovakia pushed forward and hitting them on the counter. Engman burst down the left and delivered an accurate cross that Paulina Nyström powered home for her first international goal.

𝐓𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐧 𝐤𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐧! 💙

Helmareiden MM-karsinnat jatkuvat lauantaina Latvian vieraana. Lohkovaiheen viimeinen kotimatsi pelataan Tampereella 9. kesäkuuta, jolloin vieraaksi saapuu Portugali! 🙌

🎟️ https://t.co/V1IZpS2RAz #Helmarit #MeOlemmeSuomi pic.twitter.com/Pzv4bgIkis

— Helmarit (@HelmaritFI) April 14, 2026

Slovakia responded instantly, though. Seconds after kickoff, Dominika Skorvankova was fouled in the box by Oona Siren and Patrícia Hmírová buried the penalty.

Finland finally killed the game off 15 minutes from time, courtesy of the “other” Nystrom. Captain Eva Nyström met a corner with a header that was blocked, but she reacted quickest to the rebound and guided it into the bottom corner.

The 4-2 win lifts Finland to six points, but they remain behind Portugal on goal difference. Portugal can restore a three-point lead against Latvia later tonight. Finland are next in action away to Latvia on Saturday 18th.