World champions Spain began the defence of their European title with a comfortable win, but France’s new era under Laurent Blanc began with a home defeat to Belarus on Friday.
England and Italy put disappointing World Cup campaigns behind them with victories, while Portugal were held at home in an eight-goal game with Cyprus.
Losing World Cup finalists Netherlands hit five at San Marino, Germany earned a hard-fought win in Belgium, while Turkey overcame Kazakhstan in Guus Hiddink’s first competitive match in charge.
Among other Euro 2012 qualifying matches, there were wins for Sweden, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Northern Ireland, who upset Slovenia 1-0 in Maribor.
Spain began their defence of their European title with a relaxed 4-0 stroll away to minnows Liechtenstein in Group I, where Lithuania and Scotland played out a goalless draw.
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres led the rout with two goals and there was one apiece for David Villa and David Silva.
France were hoping to put their World Cup nightmare behind them with Blanc in charge for his first competitive match.
But in another weak performance, the French were left stunned in the Stade de France when Sergei Kislyak struck four minutes from time the only goal for Belarus in Group D.
France now go to Sarajevo to take on Bosnia-Herzegovina who were 3-0 winners in Luxembourg. Romania were meanwhile held 1-1 by Albania in the group.
Italy under new coach Cesare Prandelli came from behind to beat Estonia 2-1 in Tallinn. Antonio Cassano scored the equaliser and was involved in the winner by Leonardo Bonucci.
The Dutch began comfortably in Group E with a 5-0 drubbing of San Marino. Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored twice, while Ruud van Nistelrooy came off the bench for a stoppage-time goal, while Dirk Kuyt from the penalty spot and Hedwiges Maduro were also on target.
Sweden earned a 2-0 win over visiting Hungary in the group, but Finland went down 2-0 to two second-half goals at Moldova and had central defender Sami Hyypia sent off in the first-half.
Portugal meanwhile were pegged by Cyprus in a Group H game in Guimaraes. The Portuguese were twice behind but then led 4-3, only for Andreas Avraam to equalize in the last minute. Norway began with a 2-1 win in Iceland.
In Group B, Ireland grabbed a 1-0 win over Armenia in Yerevan thanks to a 76th-minute goal from substitute Keith Fahey.
In the same group Russia earned a 2-0 win in Andorra with both goals from striker Pavel Pogrebniak, the second from the penalty spot.
Serbia, who could be Italy’s chief opponents in Group C, ran out 3-0 winners against the Faroe Islands in Torshavn, with goals from Danko Lazovic, Dejan Stankovic and Nikola Zigic. Northern Ireland earned a 1-0 win in Slovenia in the group thanks to a 70th minute goal from Corry Evans.
Croatia began in Group F with a 3-0 win at Latvia, while Greece were held to a home draw by Georgia as a the post-Otto Rehhagel era began under Fernando Santos.
