Pukki strikes in HJK’s 3–1 League Cup victory over Raitala and Gnistan
Teemu Pukki came out on top in the “Battle of the Finns” on Saturday, scoring a crucial goal to lead HJK Helsinki to a 3–1 victory over IF Gnistan in the Liigacup. The match at the Talin jalkapallohalli saw Pukki face off against his former Minnesota United teammate Jukka Raitala, with the striker’s side ultimately claiming bragging rights in the local derby.
Match recap
HJK asserted their dominance early in the Group A fixture. Alexander Ring opened the scoring in the 15th minute, setting the tone for the hosts. Just before the halftime whistle, Pukki doubled the lead, sending HJK into the break with a comfortable 2–0 advantage.
Gnistan responded immediately after the restart, with Joakim Latonen pulling one back in the 46th minute to make it 2–1. The visitors pushed for an equalizer, but HJK put the game to bed late on when Martin Kirilov struck in the 88th minute to secure all three points.
Pukki’s performance
Teemu Pukki continued his goalscoring form for HJK, proving to be the difference-maker in the first half.
- The goal: Pukki found the back of the net in the 45th minute, striking at a psychological key moment right before the interval.
- The shift: The 35-year-old striker led the line effectively, combining well with Ring to break down the Gnistan defense.
Raitala’s performance
Jukka Raitala featured in the defensive line for Gnistan against his former club.
- The defense: Raitala had a busy afternoon trying to contain the HJK attack. While Gnistan managed to stabilize in the second half, the early damage done by Pukki and Ring proved too much to overcome.
- The reunion: The match marked another meeting between the two Finnish legends who shared the locker room in Saint Paul during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
Stats (via Google Sports)
- Teemu Pukki: 1 Goal (45′)
Up next
HJK continues their Liigacup campaign next weekend. Pukki and his teammates will face TPS on Saturday, Feb. 21, as they look to tighten their grip on the group. Raitala and Gnistan will look to bounce back in their next group stage fixture.
