Finland beat Serbia 3–1 in Tampere in the first leg of their Women’s World Cup 2027 play-off. Finland takes a two-goal lead to Serbia on 13 October, but neither side has secured a place in Brazil.
A late goal changed the return leg
Emma Koivisto put Finland ahead in the 28th minute and Lotta Lindström made it 2–0 before halftime. Vesna Milivojević pulled one back for Serbia in the 82nd minute, only for Finland substitute Sanni Franssi to restore the two-goal margin six minutes later, according to the Serbian football association.
Serbia will host the second leg at its football centre in Stara Pazova. The 3–1 score leaves Finland ahead in the tie, with the outcome still to be decided on the pitch.
What comes after this tie?
UEFA has drawn the winner of Finland versus Serbia against the winner of Belarus versus Italy in the second play-off round, scheduled for late November and early December. Seven of the eight second-round winners qualify directly for Brazil 2027; the remaining winner goes to the inter-confederation play-offs. Finland must first protect its lead in Serbia, and even two round wins would not automatically guarantee a World Cup place.