In one of the most memorable nights in Finnish football, HJK Helsinki overturned a crushing 4-0 first-leg loss by defeating NSI Runavik 5-0 at Bolt Arena on Thursday, securing their place in the next round of the Europa Conference League qualifiers.
The first leg had left little hope. HJK, playing away in the Faroe Islands, were reduced to ten men after Jere Kallinen was sent off early. The result was a punishing 4-0 loss that appeared to end their European campaign before it truly began.
But everything changed in the return leg.
Runavik went down to ten men just 15 minutes into the match. That decision opened the door, and HJK took their chance immediately. Lucas Lingman scored the first goal of the tie shortly after, lighting a spark that grew stronger with each passing minute.
HJK pushed hard in the second half. Goals from Kai Meriluoto and Santeri Hostikka brought the scoreline to 4-3 on aggregate. With time running out, the pressure mounted.
Then came the moment that turned the night into history. In stoppage time, defender Giorgos Antzoulas rose in the box and headed home the goal that tied the aggregate. Extra time was needed.
Just three minutes into the additional period, Hostikka scored again. HJK now led 5-4 over the two legs. They held firm and finished the match with a clean sheet and one of the most remarkable comebacks ever seen on Finnish soil.
They now advance to face Arda Kardzhali of Bulgaria in the third qualifying round.
Speaking after the match, head coach Miika Nuutinen called the night “unbelievable” and praised his players for their belief and mental strength. “You keep working, even when others stop believing. That’s football,” he said.
