Finland pushed Portugal hard in their opening game in March before conceding two late goals, then got the points they deserved back at home with a win over Latvia, leaving them second in the group, above Slovakia on goal difference.
Three points this afternoon would maintain ambitions of topping the group, and Finland made the perfect start when Katariina Kosola did well to control a searching ball forward from Joanna Tynnila, before holding her nerve when through on goal to put her side ahead in the fourth minute.
A landmark moment arrived midway through the first half, as a flowing move resulted in Lotta Lindstrom holding the ball up well on the edge of the area before playing in Adelina Engman, who finished in style on the occasion of her 100th cap.
But it was game on again with 10 minutes of the opening 45 to play, after Martina Surnovska slotted a neat through ball to Klaudia Fabova, who beat the advancing Anna Koivunen to get Slovakia on the board.
In the second half, the game was essentially won and loss within an eight-minute spell.
Helmarit again struck approaching midway through the half, winning possession back when Slovakia were flooding forward and hitting them on the break. Engman received an accurate pass when bursting down the left wing, and her cross was headed home powerfully by Paulina Nystrom for her first international goal.
However, the home side were pegged back, as seconds after the restart, Dominika Skorvankova was brought down in the area by Oona Siren, and Patricia Hmirova did the honours from the penalty spot.
Finland finally put the game to bed 15 minutes from time, thanks to the "other" Nystrom. Captain Eva Nystrom rose highest at a corner, and when he header was blocked, she latched onto the rebound and steered the ball into the bottom corner.
The 4-2 victory takes Finland to six points, though they still trail Portugal on goal difference. The Portuguese have the chance to retake the three-point lead against Latvia later this evening, while next up for the Finnish women is a trip to Latvia on Saturday 18th.
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