England bounced back from Thursday's defeat to Greece to underline their intentions to climb out of UEFA Nations League Group B2, recording only their second win in seven away games in the competition with a 3-1 victory over Finland in Helsinki.

Perhaps sensing England's vulnerability following their 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley, the hosts made a promising start and Topi Keskinen was unlucky not to shoot wide after Benjamin Kallman's initial effort was blocked.

But with the Three Lions unbeaten in 12 previous meetings with the Finns, it was no shock when Angel Gomes brilliantly slipped a through ball to Jack Grealish, who slotted past Lukas Hradecky for his second goal in three games since being dropped from the squad that finished runners-up at Euro 2008.

Sitting at the bottom of Group B2 and potentially facing relegation today, Finland needed to step up their game and they did just that in the second half.

Aside from Declan Rice's curling effort, England's chances were few and far between, while there were promising signs from the likes of Keskinen and Fredrik Jensen before the break, the latter firing wide of the near post as he looked to restore parity.

That could have been classed as a clear-cut chance for Jensen, but it was nothing compared to his next effort, which he tipped over the bar after being picked out by Keskinen just yards from goal.

Hradecky, meanwhile, was equal to Cole Palmer's and Rice's efforts, but he couldn't do anything about England's second when Trent Alexander-Arnold curled a superb free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.

Inspired by the goal, substitute Ollie Watkins soon beat his man down the left and crossed for Rice to tap in a third.

Just when it looked as if England were on course for a third clean sheet in four games under Lee Carsley, Arttu Hoskonen rose to head in Leo Walta's corner at the near post, but a well-deserved goal for Finland proved to be a mere consolation.

Despite not being at their best, England's comfortable victory moved them level on nine points with Greece at the top of Group B2.

Carsley and Co will therefore be hoping for an Irish win on Sunday, the exact opposite of what Markku Kanerva will be hoping for, as such a result would see the Huuhkajat all but relegated, ending a three-year spell in League B.