Struggling Northern Ireland found no respite in the freezing temperatures of Helsinki as they suffered a seventh defeat of their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in a 4-0 loss to Finland. Michael O’Neill’s injury-ravaged side started well but crumbled after Joel Pohjanpalo’s penalty late in the first half, with second-half goals from Daniel Hakans, Teemu Pukki and Robin Lod piling on the pain. A crippling list of absentees provides plenty of extenuating circumstances but Northern Ireland have won only three of their last 16 games, and have only scored in three of their nine qualifiers in this campaign – two of those being victories over minnows San Marino. A young, inexperienced side played some encouraging football in the first half but lacked the cutting edge needed to earn any rewards, and were punished by their play-off bound hosts, who ended a three-game losing streak that cost them any chance of automatic qualification. The last time Northern Ireland were in Helsinki in October 2015 they had just booked their ticket to Euro 2016, but this time they were without 12 injured players, with O’Neill having to reach ever deeper into the nation’s limited pool of players. Ross McCausland only made his first Rangers start at the weekend, and was only called up from the Under-21s squad on Monday after an injury to Paul Smyth, but he started ahead of Conor McMenamin to become the 32nd player used by O’Neill in this campaign. The decision looked a good one as the Linfield academy graduate linked up well with Isaac Price and Dion Charles in some crisp early moves. When Matti Peltola stumbled on the right McCausland pounced, running down the right and cutting the ball in for Price, but the Standard Liege man shot straight at Lukas Hradecky. Finland had to wait until the 14th minute for a sight of goal when a half-cleared corner fell for Pohjanpalo to hit on the volley but Conor Hazard, starting in place of the injured Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the city where he spent much of 2022 on loan at HJK, was down smartly to save. George Saville was captaining the side on the night of his 50th cap but is yet to score in Northern Ireland colours, so it was sadly little surprise to see the Millwall midfielder fire wide after a neat move involving Price, Charles, and Trai Hume. The game changed when Finland won a penalty six minutes before half-time. Daniel Ballard blocked a shot from Fredrik Jensen but the ball came to Nikolai Alho, who was clipped by Price as he tried to charge at goal. Pohjanpalo, who started the night with only three goals in his last 20 Finland appearances, took responsibility and sent Hazard the wrong way. Northern Ireland needed a response but instead conceded a second just three minutes into the second half. It was a fine goal through Finnish eyes but O’Neill will wonder how Hakans was able to skip through four challenges before exchanging passes with Glen Kamara and then beating Hazard at his near post. There was a tantalising glimpse of goal in the 69th minute when Price sent in a low cross for substitute Conor Washington, but Miro Tenho did just enough to keep the ball out of reach, and five minutes later substitute Pukki put the game beyond doubt. The former Norwich man played a one-two with Robert Taylor, rode a challenge from Paddy McNair, and curled a shot beyond the reach of Hazard. Pukki turned provider in the 88th minute, playing the ball through Ballard’s legs for Lod to poke home, condemning Northern Ireland to their worst result yet in a dismal campaign. Read More Alan Browne says Republic upsetting Netherlands ‘would mean an awful lot’ Stephen Kenny’s last dance? 5 talking points as the Republic face Netherlands Golden Boy award recognises Jude Bellingham’s irrepressible rise at Real Madrid Fine finish hands Nicolai Hojgaard two-shot lead at halfway stage in Dubai Exeter captain Poppy Leitch hoping for more progress during inaugural PWR season Street Child Cricket World Cup gives youngsters chance to shine

Liverpool and Manchester United use the international break to scout Benfica's Antonio Silva and Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini.

Luis Arraez singled home the winning run with the bases loaded in the 10th inning and the Miami Marlins ended an eight-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies

Bill Simmons is now a target of the paparazzi after making headlines crushing Harry and Meghan.

The New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers called off Saturday's preseason game after CB Isaiah Bolden went down with a concerning injury in the fourth quarter.The New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers' preseason game came to an abrupt end Saturday night when rookie CB Isaiah ...

Today's NBA news is all about the Nuggets and Nikola Jokic, who secured their place in history by beating the Heat in Game 5. We also look at what's next for Miami and a few new NBA Draft prospects to follow.Of all the remarkable things about Nikola Jokic's career resume, the most...

Spotify has ended their $25 million podcast deal with Harry and Meghan after two and a half years. Since signing the deal in 2020 the pair have produced 12 epis

Manchester United players are reportedly wearing replica items of kit during matches this season after players complained the official version was “too tight”. United goalkeeper Andre Onana is said to have found the Adidas performance model to be uncomfortable, according to the Telegraph, after it was designed to be a closer fit than the replica shirts available from the club shop. The £47m summer signing has therefore been wearing a looser version in recent matches, while United’s outfielders have also been wearing non-branded socks since August because players have found they are too tight. United’s players last wore the official black socks with club emblem in the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham and the first-team squad have since been wearing an unofficial Adidas version with no club branding. Some players have also taken to cutting holes in the back of the socks this season because they have too tight around their calves. The Daily Mail reported that Adidas are planning to make minor adjustments to the kit’s design. It comes after Aston Villa and Newcastle experienced problems with the kit provided by their shirt manufacturer Castore earlier this season. Villa’s players reportedly experienced discomfort while wearing the club’s home kit earlier this season after a design issue left the shirts heavy with moisture. Read More Erik ten Hag says ‘only a matter of time’ until Manchester United form improves What time is the Carabao Cup draw? Date, time and how to watch Sir Bobby Charlton funeral announced for November 13

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points and Damian Lillard added 32 as the Milwaukee Bucks beat Miami 131-124 on Tuesday, advancing to the knockout rounds...

Barcelona's upcoming fixtures across La Liga and the Champions League, including matches against Real Betis and Villarreal.

The Philadelphia Eagles are 6-1 entering the Week 8, sitting atop the entire NFC. That alone shows that the team is all-in to win a Super Bowl title after falli

Ed Sheeran has been spotted at Ipswich Town FC pouring pints and dishing up pies for hungry football fans as the club took on Hull City. The 32-year-old is a loyal supporter of the club, and was also filmed in the changing room with the players belting out his hit track, 'Perfect'. Celebrations weren't short-lived either, as the team brought home a 3-0 victory at their Portman Road ground. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter