Finland 2 Wales 1

The World Cup qualifying game between Finland and Wales at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki on Saturday Oct 10, 2009.

Craig Bellamy created a piece of Wales football history for himself here but could not inspire his side to a victory that would have kept alive their hopes of finishing third in World Cup qualifying group four.

The captain’s first-half equaliser was his 17th goal for his country and he is now Wales’ fifth highest all-time scorer, overtaking Mark Hughes – his Manchester City manager – who netted 16 times.

Finland led early on through Roni Porokara, and grabbed a late winner from defender Niklas Moisander as Wales let this game slip away from them with a disappointing second-half display.

And their problems for Wednesday’s match in Liechtenstein were compounded by yellow cards for Bellamy and goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey that will see them banned from the final group match.

In a barely half-full stadium, with a hardy and noisy 750 from the Principality, Finland got off to the perfect start with a goal after just five minutes.

Dreadful defending by Wales allowed Jonatan Johansson in on the right to skip round James Collins before seeing a low shot palmed straight out into the area by Hennessey. Porokara had the simple task of guiding the ball home from 12 yards.

Wales, though, gathered themselves after some more shaky defending to strike back with an equaliser after 17 minutes. Gareth Bale sent David Vaughan – making first appearance for Wales since August 2007 – racing down the left, and when the Blackpool player’s low cross arrived in the box, Bellamy had spun away from Sami Hyypia to beat Jussi Jaaskelainen from close in.

Now only Ian Rush, Ivor Allchurch, Trevor Ford and Dean Saunders have scored more goals for Wales than the Cardiff-born striker.

Three minutes after the break, Bellamy was left clutching a knee after a late challenge by Hannu Tihinen. Serbian referee Milorad Mazic booked the defender, did not give a free-kick and then cautioned Bellamy for dissent.

Wales had done little in the second period to take any positive control, sitting back and inviting pressure. And they were punished after 76 minutes. Full-back Moisander was given far too much space on the left of the box and drove an angled shot into the far corner.