Finland's all-time top goalscorer in men's football, Teemu Pukki, signed off his international career with a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win over minnows Andorra on Monday evening in Tampere.
Pukki notched a record 43 goals during his 133 games for the Huuhkajat, or Eagle Owls, over the course of 16 years.
His 43rd and final goal for Finland will not go down as his finest, but it capped off an emotional night at Tammela stadium for players and fans alike — but especially for Pukki himself, who wept openly when he was substituted to a standing ovation on 70 minutes.
"It was an absolutely amazing experience. I got the goal I wanted, and the win. And with this kind of farewell, I can be happy," Pukki told Yle Sport after the game, adding that his final goal for Finland was "probably the ugliest".
"But every goal counts. I’ll happily take it. It might have even gone in off my hand, so maybe it should have been disallowed," he said.
The former Norwich and Celtic striker's success in front of goal for the national side led to Finnish fans celebrating a "Pukki party" each time he added to his tally.
The term originated during Finland's historic qualification for the 2020 European Championships — the first time the men's national team reached a major finals — with Pukki scoring 10 goals along the way.
Pukki, however, departs on something of a sour note, as a 1-0 defeat to Malta in his final competitive game for this country last Friday ended any lingering hopes Finland had of qualifying for next summer's World Cup finals.
