1-1 draw with Finland secures top spot for Northern Ireland in Group F

Northern Ireland secured top spot in Group F with a 1-1 draw away to Finland.

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Stuart Dallas, who saw an early effort fly over the bar, was gifted a 20th-minute chance by Finland keeper Lukas Hradecky but shot straight at the keeper after taking a touch.

Both Chris Brunt and Chris Baird had goalbound efforts blocked by their own teammates in the opening period, while Tim Sparv volleyed over a rare Finland effort.

Watford defender Craig Cathcart opened the scoring for Michael O'Neill's men, nodding home from Niall McGinn's right-wing cross.

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Joel Pohjanpalo almost replied instantly for Finland but Northern Ireland keeper Michael McGovern's fingertip save denied the striker.

It was Pohjanpalo who had an early second-half chance to equalise as he found himself on the end of Robin Lod's cutback but the big forward fired over from close range.

Northern Ireland introduced Josh Magennis for Kyle Lafferty with ten minutes remaining, and a ball meant for the Kilmarnock striker was cut out before Brunt tested Hradecky from range.

The hosts made their pressure count in the dying minutes of normal time as centre-back Paulus Arajuuri tucked a finish beyond McGovern to level the tie.

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Michael O'Neill's side held on to secure the point and finish their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign at the summit of Group F.