Pasanen scores in a comeback win for Finland

Petri Pasanen struck an 85th-minute winner as Finland came from behind to beat Azerbaijan in their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa qualifier in Lankaran City.

Elvin Mammadov put the hosts in front in 49th minute to give them hope of recording their first win in Group 4. However, FC Zurich’s Hannu Tihinen equalised in the 74th minute before Werder Bremen defender Pasanen completed the comeback.

The victory lifted the Finns on to 13 points and kept them five adrift of second-placed Russia, who beat Liechtenstein 3-0 this afternoon. Their chances over overhauling the Russians to finish second look slim to say the least, though, with only three games remaining, the last of which is away to group leaders Germany.

Next up for Finland is a trip to Liechtenstein on Wednesday, while Azerbaijan take on Joachim Low’s Germany in Hanover.