Football: Finland hit back to hold Spain to surprise draw
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Spain's defender Jordi Alba (right) vies with Finland's defender Mikko Sumusalo (left) during the Fifa 2014 World Cup qualifier football match Spain versus Finland at the Molinon stadium in Gijon on March 22, 2013. -- PHOTO: AFP
GIJON (REUTERS) - Finland's Teemu Pukki scored 11 minutes from time to grab a 1-1 draw in Spain that complicated life for the world and European champions in World Cup qualifying Group I on Friday.
Pukki fired past Victor Valdes on a rare counter-attack after they had withstood waves of pressure from the hosts.
Sergio Ramos, winning his 100th cap for Spain, broke the deadlock with a header from a corner just after halftime but Vicente del Bosque's side struggled to make their dominance count.
The draw leaves Spain under pressure to get a victory in Paris next Tuesday when they visit new group leaders France, who overcame Georgia 3-1 at home.
