Defending world champions France began their qualifying journey towards the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals with a 1-1 draw against Ukraine in Group D in Paris on Wednesday evening.
Les Blues led at the break through Antoine Griezmann, but an own-goal from Presnel Kimpembe moments from resumption granted Ukraine a way back and ultimately a point apiece.
The World champions next assignment is away to Kazakhstan on Sunday, while Ukraine are at home to Finland on the same day.
Netherlands' road to next year's finals got off to a poor start after suffering a 4-2 at the hands of Turkey in a Group G qualifying clash in Istanbul.
The Turks burst into a two-goal lead in the first half through Burak Yilmaz, with one netted from the spot before Hakan Calhanoglu made it three early in the second half.
Davy Klaassen and substitute Luuk De Jong gave the Dutch a lifeline late in the match, but Yilmaz made matters safe as he completed his hat-trick to complete a fine night for the Turks.
Belgium managed to start their 2022 World Cup qualifying journey on a winning note at the expense of Wales with a 3-1 triumph.
The goals from the Red Devils came inside the first 30 minutes of the match as Kevin De Bruyne and Thorgan Hazard cancelled Harry Wilson's early strike.
A penalty from Romelu Lukaku near the end put the Welsh out of sight to give the Belgian's who won the third/fourth place playoff at the 2018 World Cup finals, a positive start.
Slovenia 1-0 Croatia
Portugal 1-0 Azerbaijan
Serbia 3-2 Republic of Ireland
Gibraltar 0-3 Norway
Finland 2-2 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Latvia 1-2 Montenegro
Cyprus 0-0 Slovakia
Malta 1-3 Russia
Estonia 2-6 Czech Republic