Veikkausliiga Update: AC Oulu and KuPS Lead the Pack

The current Veikkausliiga 2026 standings have AC Oulu leading with 6 points, followed closely by KuPS and TPS with 6 points each.

AC Oulu and KuPS lead Veikkausliiga with perfect starts, HJK suffers setback, Inter Turku wins late against Ilves...

Inter Turku came from behind to score a 96th-minute winner at home to Ilves, who've suffered back-to-back defeats. Ilves' season got off to a tough start, but they looked on track after Roope Riski scored from the spot midway through the first half.

HJK's early season form took a hit as they fell to AC Oulu at home, handing the visitors a perfect start to the Veikkausliiga season.

Inter Turku snatched a late win over Ilves, coming from behind to top their opponents.

Inter Turku came from behind to score a 96th-minute winner at home to Ilves, who've suffered back-to-back defeats.

Vieläkö Turussa nähdään osumia?🤔#tältätuntuu #veikkausliiga pic.twitter.com/wFzvi2D8Xl

— Veikkausliiga (@Veikkausliiga) April 11, 2026

Ilves' season got off to a tough start, but they looked on track after Roope Riski scored from the spot midway through the first half.

The home side, frustrated in a goalless draw at home to VPS on matchday one, got themselves level in style in the 74th minute, when Loic Essomba's cross from the right wing was volleyed home by Alie Conteh - a memorable first goal for FC Inter from the new man.

The turnaround was complete six minutes into stoppage time, when Janne-Pekka Laine's corner was headed home by 18-year-old Ilari Kangasniemi, scoring his first goal for Finland's Inter.

Elias Kallio ja erittäin kaunis viimeistely😮‍💨#tältätuntuu #veikkausliiga pic.twitter.com/5DtzPaxXH6

— Veikkausliiga (@Veikkausliiga) April 11, 2026

HJK's Resurgence Derails

A 3-0 victory over SJK on the opening weekend suggested HJK were back to their best under new boss Joonas Rantanen after such a poor end to 2025. More of the same was expected this afternoon after the Helsinki side named the same starting XI.

But they were rocked midway through the first half when Lamine Ghezali got free down the right wing and played a delicate cross onto the chest of Elias Kallio, who brought it down and struck cleanly into the bottom corner.

HJK struggled to create chances, managing just three shots on goal, as Oulu held on for the win - their second of the season after a 5-1 thrashing of Gnistan.

KuPS Edge Past Gnistan

The reigning champions are also on maximum points after two rounds after they condemned Gnistan to a second consecutive defeat.

KuPS dominated the game with 75% possession and a total of 25 shots, but they were frustrated by their visitors from Helsinki who looked more resolute defensively compared to a week ago.

Monta maalia nähdään Morenolta huhtikuun aikana?🤨#tältätuntuu #veikkausliiga pic.twitter.com/RsbBtQVBw0

— Veikkausliiga (@Veikkausliiga) April 11, 2026

But their resistance finally broke nine minutes from time, when a deep corner was headed by Saku Savolainen back across goal to Jaime Moreno, whose half-volley gave the Gnistan goalkeeper no chance, leaving the visitors and Ilves as the only two without a point this season.