With their UEFA Nations League triumph over Finland at the Aviva Stadium, Ireland have staved off relegation.

Even though Evan Ferguson scored, the hero of the match was goalkeeper Kevin Kelleher, who saved a penalty kick attempt from Joel Pohjanpalo in the 77th minute.

With their second-tier status assured for another cycle, the Boys in Green can confidently travel to Wembley on Sunday.Quickly establishing their dominance, Ireland took the lead in the first minute through a cross from Matt Doherty that found Ferguson inside the penalty area. Even though it didn’t lead to anything, it was just one of many exciting moments in the first exchanges that had the crowd on their feet.

Ferguson, Doherty, and Sammie Szmodics’s movement was a big part of it. As Festy Ebosele advanced from the right side to offer support, the three of them worked in unison and pressed high.

On the flip side, Finland was a coward.

They had trouble getting into attacking positions, and it all started in the 13th minute when Liam Scales saved a pass from Nikolai Alho at the near post. The one time Finland’s Kaan Kairinen attempted a long-range shot, it sailed harmlessly into the corner and the Irish defense was unconcerned.

Following that, the game resumed its usual patterns, with a Jason Knight shot in the 20th minute hitting high and wide as a marker of the shift. Just 90 seconds later, it appeared like the good play had paid off, but the referee deemed Szmodics offside when he scored.

Before Robin Lod ducked into a space inside the penalty box and scored on the turn, everything was going according to plan. The ball echoed off the right post, hushed the Aviva Stadium, and served as a potent reminder of Finland’s capabilities.

After Szmodics’s attempt was saved by the goalkeeper for a corner, Ireland launched into a barrage of set pieces that culminated in a Doherty header that narrowly missed the back post in the 40th minute.

At the very last moment before halftime, one of these more common gaps was filled as Ferguson headed in a cross from Mikey Johnston.

After the break, Ireland persisted in probing, but they created few clear opportunities. Finland went on a different direction. They used a five-minute opportunity to make three substitutions, and the infusion of new energy enabled them regain the lead from Ireland.

A penalty was their reward when a video assistant referee (VAR) review found a handball inside the penalty area. In the 76th minute, Pohjanpalo took the penalty, but Kelleher saved it. In the same minute, he also dealt with a rebound attempt at his near post. Benjamin Källman attempted a long-range shot, but the goalkeeper was there to block it.

As time ran down, Szmodics had a chance to score, but the midfielder sent the ball flying straight to Lukas Hradecky.