2002 World Cup - Finland 2 Albania 1

Finland managed to start the World Cup qualifying marathon with a win in Helsinki despite playing the last 20 minutes with only ten men.

First it was star Jari Litmanen to score with a low tucked finish in first half injury time thanks to a neat pass from PSV player Jonas Kolkka.

In the second half Albania threatened Finland's hopes with a goal from Edvin Murati in the 63rd minute but only seven minutes later substitute Aki Richahti hit a loose ballinto the net with a hard drive after a corner kick and got his side ahead.

Things got complicated for the home team when Janne Saarinen gained two yellow cards in only two minutes thanks to a diving tackle and to a late challenge and was sent off in the 72nd minute. However, Finland finally managed to maintain the result that will be useful in the future in such a complicated group as this is. The teams that fail to win home matches are bound to struggle.