The Irish took the lead with a first-half header from centre-back Craig Cathcart before the Finns grabbed an equaliser with an 87th minute strike from their centre-back Paulus Arajurri.
The result meant Northern Ireland, playing in an unfamiliar all-blue strip instead of their usual green shirts and white shorts, sealed top place in the group with 21 points from their 10 matches, finishing a point ahead of Romania.
The Irish took the lead after 31 minutes when Finland were lax in clearing a Chris Brunt corner. The ball ran to
Paddy McNair, who found Niall McGinn and his cross was deftly headed home by Cathcart for his first international goal.
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Finland should have equalised five minutes after the break when Robin Lod set up Joel Pohjanpalo with a fantastic ball which Pohjanpalo ran on to -- but skied over the bar.
The result left Finland fourth in the group with 12 points.
(Reporting by Mike Collett)
