Inter Turku break Ilves hearts as HJK beaten at home and Oulu top Veikkausliiga
Inter Turku 2-1 Ilves
Inter Turku overturned a deficit to net a dramatic winner in the 96th minute against Ilves, who have now endured consecutive losses to kick off the season.
Ilves faced a challenging opener against KuPS, yet their comeback seemed on track during the first half after earning a spot kick, which Roope Riski powered into the top corner to open his account for the campaign.
However, the hosts, irked by a stalemate against VPS in their debut fixture, equalised with flair in the 74th minute, as Loic Essomba delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank that Alie Conteh volleyed into the net - marking a striking debut strike for the newcomer at FC Inter.
The reversal sealed victory deep into added time, with six minutes on the clock, when Janne-Pekka Laine swung in a tempting corner that was nodded home by 18-year-old ex-Inter Milan youth prospect Ilari Kangasniemi, scoring his maiden goal for Finlands Inter.
HJK 0-1 AC Oulu
A convincing 3-0 triumph over SJK in the initial round hinted at HJK regaining form under fresh manager Joonas Rantanen following a dismal close to 2025. Supporters anticipated more dominance this time, especially with the Helsinki outfit sticking to their unchanged lineup.
Yet shock hit them in the first period when Lamine Ghezali broke loose on the right and floated a precise delivery onto Elias Kallios chest, allowing the forward to control it and rifle a shot into the bottom corner.
HJK struggled offensively in reply, managing just three efforts on target over the full match, none rated as clear cut opportunities, while Oulu clung on for the spoils - securing their second success after demolishing Gnistan 5-1 at the start.
KuPS 1-0 Gnistan
The title holders have also gathered full points from two outings by dooming Gnistan to another loss in a row.
KuPS controlled proceedings with 75% of the ball and 25 attempts overall, though they found the Helsinki outfit far more solid at the back than in their prior outing.
That stubbornness crumbled with nine minutes left, as a floated corner was directed by Saku Savolainen across the face of goal for Jaime Moreno to connect with a half-volley that left the Gnistan keeper helpless, positioning the away side and Ilves as the sole teams yet to earn anything from the season.