World Cup 2014 - Qualifying matches

Spain 1 - Finland 1

Spain: Víctor Valdés; Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Piqué, Jordi Alba; Cazorla (Pedro 46'), Sergio Busquets, Iniesta; David Silva, Cesc Fábregas (Mata 76'), David Villa (Negredo 65'). 4-3-3.
Finland: Mäenpää; Toivio, Tainio (Sparv 69'), Moisander, Raitala; Eremenko, Hetemaj, Ring, Arkivuo, Hamalainen; Pukki (Halsti 93'). 4-5-1.

Goals:
1-0. 49. Ramos. Steered header back past keeper from Silva corner.
1-1. 79. Pukki. Got head of Víctor Valdés to turn Sparv cross in to net.

A serious set-back for defending champions Spain in the new World Cup campaign, a 1-1 draw at home to Finland leaving them two points adrift of group leaders France. The Scandinavians set out their stall early on, pulling nine men back to defend, and once again Spain's task was to find a way through. Villa, Fàbregas and Silva all went close, and Cazorla and Iniesta brought good saves out of Mäenpää, but it was not until four minutes in to the second half that Sergio Ramos (captain for the night on his 100th appearance for his country) got above the defence to head Silva's corner back past the keeper.

Ramos fired a shot just wide and Villa struck a free kick over the top as Spain pushed for a second, but with ten minutes to go they were caught out when ex-Sevilla striker Pukki got ahead of Valdés to turn Sparv's cross in to the net. Substitutes Negredo and Mata tried their luck in a frantic last few minutes, but the visitors held fast for only their second point in the competition to date. With France beating Georgia, Del Bosque's side now needs to win in Paris next Tuesday to regain top spot in the group.