AFP, Paris :
England eased to a 3-1 victory away to Finland in the Nations League on Sunday, while Austria put five past Erling Haaland’s Norway.
Jack Grealish put England ahead in the first half, then Trent Alexander-Arnold curled in a superb free-kick and Declan Rice sealed the win inside the final 20 minutes, before Arttu Hoskonen netted a late consolation for the hosts.
It was a more recognisable England side than the one that lost to Greece at Wembley on Thursday as interim manager Lee Carsley rang the changes after his striker-less formation last time out failed.
“The team responded really well — in the best way,” Carsley told ITV.
“They scored three good goals. We were a lot better tonight. We played with a lot more control. We had massive possession, lots and lots of passes and created chances. But we can do better.”
Manchester City’s Grealish broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, providing the finishing touch to a well-crafted 17-pass move.
Angel Gomes, starting in central midfield, slipped a clever ball through the Finnish defence, which Grealish ran onto and rolled beyond the goalkeeper.
Finland created several good opportunities to equalise but failed to suitably trouble Dean Henderson in the England goal.
Alexander-Arnold, deployed at left-back rather than his usual right-back position at Liverpool, doubled the lead on 74 minutes when he whipped a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner.
