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Pukki stars as Finland qualifies for 1st-ever major tournament

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There will be an unfamiliar face at next summer's European Championship.

Finland is off to its first-ever major tournament after beating Liechtenstein 3-0 on Friday in Helsinki thanks to Jasse Tuominen's opener and a brace from Norwich City star Teemu Pukki.

Finland was rewarded for controlling the tempo in the first half when Tuominen fired Pukki’s shot-turned-pass beyond a lunging Benjamin Buechel in the 21st minute.

The hosts made it 2-0 when Canaries talisman Pukki scored from the penalty spot after Liechtenstein midfielder Livio Meier brought down Pyry Soiri in the area.

Pukki has set a new national team record with nine goals in nine matches, surpassing the seven that Mixu Paatelainen (1996) and Mikael Forsell (2012) scored.

It was a deserved result for the side that dominated matters with 69 percent possession and five shots on target to Liechtenstein's one.

The victory is enough for the Scandinavian football minnow to secure second spot in Group J. Italy already guaranteed its progression from the six-team company after winning all eight of its qualifiers to date.

It was Finland's 33rd attempt at qualifying for a major tournament, the second-highest number of tries without success behind Luxembourg's 34.

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