Sheringham is fouled by Niemi

The game was only five minutes old when Sheringham took Petri Helin's wayward pass around goalkeeper Niemi and was upended with the goal unguarded.

The offence came outside the area, but it was still a major surprise when French referee Alain Sars reprieved Niemi with a yellow card.

England's players were angered, and the frustration only increased when the resulting free kick was comfortably cleared.

Niemi was fortunate again after 20 minutes when, in a moment of blind panic, he clearly picked the ball up outside the penalty area, but remarkably it was not spotted by referee Sars or his assistants.

England were dominant in the first half, but it was supremacy without a cutting edge.

They came closest when Emile Heskey touched Dennis Wise's free kick towards goal, but his Liverpool team-mate Sami Hyypia cleared off the line under pressure from Martin Keown.

Heskey was posing problems for Finland with his pace and power in the early stages, creating an opening for Sheringham which was met with a disappointingly weak finish from the Manchester United veteran.

Scholes challenges Litmanen

Finland's threat was restricted to the occasional break, but they sounded a warning for England after 36 minutes when Mika Nurmela's cross was only inches away from finding Charlton's in-form striker Jonatan Johansson.

England's only other moment of danger came four minutes later when Mikael Forssell shot narrowly over after finding space inside the penalty area.

Finland opened the second half in more positive mood, with gifted Barcelona midfield man Jari Litmanen finally exerting his influence on proceedings.

He was closing in on a cross from Nurmela after 53 minutes, only to see Parlour clear with a magnificent defensive header at the far post.

Kidd and Wilkinson look on

It was the first time England had been under any concerted pressure, but goalkeeper Seaman - the culprit when Dietmar Hamann scored Germany's winner - was being well protected.

It was a much more even contest after the interval, and Finland's increased pressure prompted caretaker coach Wilkinson into his first changes after 69 minutes.

Wilkinson's changes were surprising, with Sheringham, one of England's most influential performers, taken off along with Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.

Real Madrid misfit Steve McManaman was given his chance, along with Manchester United youngster Wes Brown, who slotted into an unfamiliar right back position.

Finland had the best chance of the game after 73 minutes, and this time England were grateful to the heavily-criticised Seaman for staying on level terms.

Litmanen's delicate flick released Forssel, but the Crystal Palace striker hesitated, allowing Seaman to plunge bravely at his feet to save as England survived their first major scare.

England were suddenly under pressure, and it was an uncharacteristic piece of poor control by Litmanen that let them off the hook with only Seaman to beat.

Then came the late Parlour drama - with memories revived of the 1966 World Cup campaign and Geoff Hurst's goal.

This time luck was not on England's side, and they left Helsinki cursing.

Finland: Niemi, Helin, Saarinen, Hyypia, Tihinen, Nurmela, Wiss, Valakari, Forssell, Litmanen, Johansson. Subs: Jaaskelaninen, Reini, Kottila, Salli, Kuqi, Riihilahti, Kolkka.

England: Seaman, P. Neville, Barry, Wise, Southgate, Keown, Parlour, Scholes, A. Cole, Sheringham, Heskey. Subs: McManaman, Martyn, Barmby, Ferdinand, J. Cole, Brown, Owen.

Referee: A Sars (France.)