Petri Pasanen struck an 85th-minute winner as Finland came from behind to beat Azerbaijan in their World Cup qualifier in Lankaran City.

Elvin Mammadov put the hosts in front early in the second half to give them hope of recording their first win in Group Four.

But FC Zurich's Hannu Tihinen equalised in the 74th minute, before Werder Bremen defender Pasanen completed the comeback.

Azerbaijan, who beat Finland in Baku in qualification for Euro 2008, took the lead in the 49th minute.

Shefki Kuqi gave the ball away to Vagif Javadov, who passed to Mammadov - and the striker sent a low shot into the net for the hosts' first goal of the qualifying campaign.

Azerbaijan had chances to extend their lead, but Vugar Nadirov and Javadov could not take them.

At the other end, Roman Eremenko and substitute Jari Litmanen were denied by goalkeeper Kamran Agayev as Finland pushed for an equaliser.

It arrived 16 minutes from time when veteran midfielder Litmanen sent in a low cross which Tihinen guided into the net.

The Finns then grabbed a winner when Pasanen scrambled the ball home following a corner.

Azerbaijan almost snatched an equaliser in the dying seconds, but defender Veli Lampi cleared the ball off his own goalline.

The victory lifted the Finns to 13 points and kept them five adrift of second-placed Russia, who beat Liechtenstein 3-0 this afternoon.

Their chances of over overhauling the Russians to finish second look slim to say the least, though - with only three games remaining, the last of which is away to group leaders Germany.

Next up for Finland is a trip to Liechtenstein on Wednesday, while Azerbaijan take on Joachim Low's Germany in Hanover.

Teams:

Azerbaijan Agayev, Levin, Yunisoglu, Shukurov, Allahverdiev,Sadygov, Ruslan Abbasov (Huseynov 46), Samir Abbasov,Mammadov (Amirquliev 84), Javadov, Nadirov (Akhtyamov 73).

Subs Not Used: Veliyev, Pereira, Zeynalov, Imamverdiyev.ooked: Yunisoglu.

Goals: Mammadov 49.

Finland Jaaskelainen, Pasanen, Moisander, Tihinen, Lampi,Roman Eremenko, Tainio (Litmanen 45), Heikkinen,Aleksei Eremenko, Johansson, Kuqi (Sjolund 74),Sjolund (Kolkka 83).

Subs Not Used: Fredrikson, Nyman, Sadik, Hamalainen.

Goals: Heikkinen 74, Pasanen 85.

Ref: Stelios Trifonos (Cyprus).