England 3-2 Finland

A stoppage time goal by Birmingham City winger Karen Carney gave England a dramatic opening day victory at the Women’s Euro 2005 in front of a wildly enthusiastic, record European crowd for a competitive women’s football match.

After leading by two goals at the interval, England seemed to have thrown away two vital points when Laura Kalmari equalised a minute from time, but Carney produced the coolest of finishes to snatch the win.

That left England at the top of Group A at the end of the tournament’s first day, Sweden having drawn 1-1 with Denmark in the other group fixture at Blackpool.

At the City of Manchester Stadium the game started scrappily, but as England settled it was the two players who Powell had drafted into the starting line-up - striker Kelly Smith and Carney - who gave the home nation the edge.

The first moment of danger to either side came from a floated 14th minute Smith cross which the Finnish defence was thankful to clear for a corner.

And four minutes later Carney, after being fouled as she tricked her way past two defenders, sent in the free-kick which led to the opening goal.

Finland keeper Satu Kunnas, deceived by the trajectory of Carney’s low strike towards the near post, could only divert the ball against central defender Sanna Valkonen and the rebound trickled over the goal line.

Smith, continuing to produce some special moments of skill, then set up midfielder Fara Williams for an 18-yard chip which sailed wide of the far post.

England were growing in confidence but were rocked in the 25th minute, when midfielder Anne Makinen sent a lobbed header over keeper Jo Fletcher and unluckily saw the ball come back into play off the bar.

Star play-maker Makinen then went close with a 34th minute header as the Finns looked to draw level.

But England regained control and Smith was again at the heart of the action as the lead was doubled five minutes before half-time.

The striker ran through the centre of the defence before unleashing a 20 yard drive that thudded off the underside of the bar, leaving Barr with the chance to loop a header over Kunnas and just beyond the reach of the keeper as she tried to haul the ball back from across the line.

As play moved into stoppage time Smith, who else, tried an audacious 30 yard effort that flew past Kunnas but also wide of the far post.

But that was the last seen of the Arsenal player as she was replaced at half-time by substitute Emily Westwood.

With Smith out of the action England lost their flow and came under increasing pressure as the Finns grabbed the initiative.

They cut the lead in the 57th minute, winger Anna-Kaisa Rantanen skilfully guiding home an 18-yard shot from Makinen’s neat pass.

An intense spell of Finnish pressure followed but Fletcher stood firm, the keeper remaining calm behind her defence and making some vital catches as a series of dangerous crosses were swung into the danger area.

After weathering the storm England broke out to create several good openings but without being able to put the ball in the net.

Captain Faye White’s header was hooked clear by Jessica Julin, Carney’s free-kick was tipped over the bar by Kunnas then substitute Eni Aluko was twice denied by the keeper, who first dived at the striker’s feet in the 83rd minute then seconds later pushed her 15-yard cross shot for a corner.

Those misses looked set to count dear when, in the 89th minute, striker Laura Kalmari headed in Makinen’s cross for the equaliser.

But as play moved beyond the minutes Carney grabbed the glory, lifting a 15-yard shot into the roof of the net after Aluko’s effort had been blocked, and England took the points on a dramatic evening at the City of Manchester Stadium.

England 3-2 Finland, Women's Euro 2005, Manchester, 05 June 2005

England: Jo Fletcher - Birmingham City; Alex Scott - Birmingham City, Faye White - Arsenal (Lindsay Johnson - Everton, 85), Mary Phillip - Arsenal, Rachel Unitt - Everton; Katie Chapman - Charlton Athletic, Kelly Smith - Arsenal (Emily Westwood - Wolves, 45), Fara Williams - Everton; Karen Carney - Birmingham City, Amanda Barr - Birmingham City (Eniola Aluko - Charlton Athletic), Rachel Yankey - Birmingham City.
Subs not used: Jody Handley - Everton, Rachel Brown - Everton, Casey Stoney - Charlton Athletic, Vicky Exley - Doncaster Rovers Belles, Anita Asante - Arsenal, Leanne Hall - Fulham.

Goals: Valkonen (og) 18, Barr 40, Carney 90

Finland: Satu Kunnas; Evelina Sarapaa, Tina Salmen, Sanna Valkonen, Petra Vaelma; Jessica Thorn (Minna Mustonen 74), Jessica Julin, Anne Makinen, Anna-Kaisa Rantanen; Laura Kalmari, Heidi Kackur (Sanna Talonen 81).
Subs not used: Virva Junkarri, Heidi Ahonen, Sanna Malaska, Terhi Uusi-Luomalahti, Linda Lindqvist, Heidi Lindstrom, Noora Hannele Matikainen.

Goals: Rantanen 57, Kalmari 89

Referee: Gyöngyi Gaal (HUN)
Assistant referee: Blazenka Logarusic (CRO) and Irina Mirt (ROM)
Fourth official: Dagmar Damkova (CZE)

Attendance: 29,092