Finland defeated Azerbaijan 2-1 in a Euro 2008 Group A qualifier in Helsinki on Saturday.

M Gurbonov had given the visitors the lead in the 63rd minute as he scored with a left-footed shot that beat Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

However, two goals in the space of seven minutes kept the Finland hopes of qualification alive as Birmingham’s Mikael Forssell volleyed home after Hannu Tihinen headed a Joonas Kolkka free-kick into his path in the 79th minute.

Fulham’s Shefki Kuqi headed home a free-kick from Jari Litmanen in the 86th minute.

In a Group D game in Cardiff, Wales and Republic of Ireland were tied 2-2. Jason Koumas scored a brace for Wales while Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle netted for Ireland.