Megan Connolly and her Republic of Ireland teammates celebrate following her 10th minute goal from a free kick against Finland in a World Cup qualifying game in Helsinki on Tuesday evening. The home side equalized though Adelina Engman in the 52nd minute, but in the 56th minute Denise O’Sullivan headed Ireland back in the lead and it stayed 2-1 until the final whistle. Manager Vera Pauw had declared this a “must not lose” game beforehand, following an opening 1-0 defeat to Group A’s top seeds Sweden on last Thursday night in Dublin; if an away draw would have been a satisfactory result against tough opposition, the boss will feel delighted at her charges taking home all three points. INPHO/KALLE PARKKINEN
