Finland’s two-match winning streak came to an end after they relinquished a half-time lead against World Cup-bound Cape Verde national football team, eventually losing on penalties at Eden Park in Auckland.

Despite the shootout defeat, Finland still managed to secure the FIFA Series New Zealand title. The decisive factor came later in the evening when hosts New Zealand national football team defeated Chile national football team 4–1.

Finland finished top of the four-team group with four points from two matches, ahead of New Zealand and Chile, who both ended on three points, while Cape Verde collected two.

Head coach Jacob Friis made four changes to the side that had beaten the All Whites 2–0 three days earlier. However, two players who retained their starting places combined to give Finland the lead deep into first-half stoppage time. Leo Walta drove forward from the right before delivering a cross that Naatan Skyttä finished to put Finland ahead.

The goal marked Skyttä’s first international strike in his fourth appearance for the national team.

Finland’s hopes of extending their lead were denied early in the second half when Topi Keskinen worked his way into space at the edge of the box and fired a low effort that struck the base of the post and went wide, missing out on what would have been his first international goal.

With around 15 minutes remaining, Finland were eventually pegged back by a player with Finnish ties. Sidny Lopes Cabral set up Kelvin Pires—who plays his club football for SJK Seinajoki—to level the score. Like Naatan Skyttä earlier in the match, it was also a first international goal for Pires on his fourth appearance.

After 90 minutes, the contest went straight to penalties. Lopes Cabral and Leo Walta both converted their spot-kicks, and Finland briefly gained the advantage when Jovane missed, while Onni Valakari scored.

However, the shootout then swung against Finland. Topi Keskinen and Jaakko Oskanen both failed to score, allowing the Blue Sharks to convert their remaining penalties and seal a 4–2 shootout victory.

Despite the defeat, Finland’s earlier results, combined with New Zealand national football team’s win over Chile national football team, ensured that Finland national football team finished as tournament winners. They remained unbeaten in normal time against two teams heading to the World Cup.

Jacob Friis’ side will now turn their attention to upcoming fixtures, with friendlies against Germany national football team and Hungary national football team scheduled for late May and early June.