Netherlands beaten by Turkey, France held by Ukraine
The Netherlands slumped to a dramatic 4-2 defeat by Turkey in their opening 2022 Environment Glass qualifier on Wednesday, while reigning champions France were held by Ukraine despite an excellent Antoine Griezmann goal and Belgium originated from behind to beat Wales.
European champions Portugal battled to a 1-0 victory over Azerbaijan, but 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia lost 1-0 in Slovenia as they started their bid to attain the finals on Qatar.
In Istanbul, Turkey led 3-0 shortly after half-time through two Burak Yilmaz goals and a Hakan Calhanoglu strike, but substitutes Davy Klaassen and Luuk de Jong gave Frank de Boer's Dutchmen hope.
Yilmaz's wonderful free-kick sealed him a good hat-trick and Turkey an essential win, though, in a good match between the two favourites to qualify from Group G.
"Very disappointing result, plus the way that effect came into being," De Boer advised NOS TV.
The defeat was a dreadful learn to the campaign for holland, who failed to be eligible for either Euro 2016 or the 2018 Universe Cup, but are one of the fancied sides prior to the delayed Euro 2020 finals this season.
France kicked off their title defence with a 1-1 pull against Ukraine in the Stade de France.
Griezmann curled an excellent finish from outside the box in to the top corner found in the 19th minute to pull level with David Trezeguet found in fourth place on France's all-period goalscoring list, with 34.
But Presnel Kimpembe put through his own net prior to the hour mark to draw Ukraine level.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender had a past due chance to create amends, but headed too close to away goalkeeper Georgiy Bushchan.
"We are in need of more accuracy and movement against these opponents," France mentor Didier Deschamps advised TF1. "Qualifying is an extended haul and not an extended, quiet river, it never has been."
The other game in Group D saw Finland and Bosnia and Herzegovina attract 2-2, with Teemu Pukki netting twice for the Finns in Helsinki.
"It left a undesirable taste in my oral cavity," said Pukki. "I'm somewhat gutted we couldn't receive the three points."
- Belgium see off Wales -
Belgium, the world's number-one-ranked side, fell in back of early against Wales but fought back to outclass their opponents 3-1.
Harry Wilson scored an excellent 10th-minute opener for Wales in Leuven, but Kevin De Bruyne and Thorgan Hazard netted in the space of six moments to place the hosts ahead prior to the half-hour mark.
Belgium's record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku wrapped up the tips with a penalty 17 minutes from period, gaining the Crimson Devils a way of measuring revenge because of their Euro 2016 quarter-final reduction to Wales.
"It was crucial to begin with a victory in the home," stated winger Thorgan Hazard. "It certainly is important to get started on qualifying very well. We were a little scared through the first a quarter-hour."
Roberto Martinez's men sit second in the first Group E desk behind the Czech Republic, who thrashed Estonia 6-2 on neutral surface in Poland, with West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek scoring a hat-trick.
Portugal, who defend the title at Euro 2020 down the road this year, struggled in their Group A good opener against Azerbaijan on Turin.
But Maksim Medvedev's own goal nine moments before half-time was plenty of, despite Cristiano Ronaldo, on 102 international goals, failing woefully to close the gap to Iranian Ali Daei's all-time record of 109.
"The game was in order. We needed to increase the finishing, but we finished up earning -- with an very own goal, but probably we deserved to possess scored additional," said Portugal trainer Fernando Santos, after his 50th earn in control from 80 games.
Portugal's group rivals Serbia battled back again to defeat the Republic of Ireland 3-2, as Aleksandar Mitrovic came off the bench to seize a second-half double.
- 'Human rights, on / off pitch' -
Norway superstars Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Odegaard donned t-shirts with the slogan 'People rights, on / off the pitch' to get migrant workers building World Cup venues found in Qatar for the 2022 finals.
Haaland, national captain Odegaard, and teammates, wore the t shirts when the national anthems had been played before their 3-0 success in Gibraltar.
The Scandinavians sit ahead of Turkey in Group G.
Elsewhere, Russia, 2018 quarter-finalists in home soil, stuttered to a 3-1 win in Malta.
Likewise in Group H, Croatia were beaten simply by Sandi Lovric's early goal for Slovenia.
