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Spain national football team
World Cup | Qualifiers
Mar 22, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
Finland national football team

1-1

Spain stunned by spirited Finland

Teemu Pukki scores a late equaliser as Finland secure a surprise point against Spain in Gijon and leave the home side stunned.

Spain have lost ground on group rivals France after being held to a surprise draw by Finland in Gijon.

Spain's Sergio Ramos celebrates scoring against Finland during the World cup qualifying match on March 22, 2013© AP Photos

The reigning World and European champions controlled possession throughout the first 45 minutes but failed to take the lead.

Santi Cazorla, David Villa and Cesc Fabregas all forced shots on target but were kept at bay by Niki Maenpaa.

Five minutes after the break Spain were ahead through Sergio Ramos, who headed an Andres Iniesta goal into the corner to mark his 100th cap with a goal.

Substitute Pedro had a chance to put the result beyond doubt soon after, but put his low effort wide of the far post.

With 12 minutes left Finland stunned the home crowd by equalising on the counter.

Finland players celebrate after their draw with World Champions Spain on March 22, 2013© AP Photos

Alexander Ring broke clear down the right and set up young forward Teemu Pukki, who got beyond Ramos and Gerard Pique to tuck home from close range.

Alvaro Negredo, Juan Mata and David Silva all went close late on but Finland held firm in the final 10 minutes to secure an unlikely point.

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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023


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