Scandinavians held as Italy, Greece and Swiss win big

Greece and Switzerland made an impressive start to FIFA World Cup 26™ qualifying, while Italy began a new era in positive fashion and Czechia maintained their advantage in Group L, according to FIFA's official website.

Elsewhere, there was frustration for Sweden and Demark, with both held at home, while Kylian Mbappe equalled a Bleus legend as France clinched a vital 2-0 win away to Ukraine.

Switzerland kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a comprehensive home win over Kosovo.

Manuel Akanji opened the scoring when he met Ruben Vargas’ corner with a towering header. Breel Embolo soon made it 2-0, hammering a close-range drive beyond Kosovo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric. Defender Silvan Widmer then got in on the act with a neat first-time finish. Switzerland were relentless and Embolo’s impudent backheel made it four before half-time.

Murat Yakin’s team eased off in the second half, with Monday’s match against Slovenia perhaps on their minds.

Scotland and Denmark fought out an entertaining goalless draw in Copenhagen, leaving Greece as the early Group C pace-setters

Greece made an emphatic start to their quest to reach a first World Cup since 2014. Ivan Jovanovic’s team went into the game in outstanding form and were 4-0 up by half-time.

Isak Johannesson struck twice as Iceland made a winning start to their Group D campaign with an emphatic victory in Reykjavic.

Arnar Gunnlaugsson's side endured a frustrating time of it in the first half, dominating possession but finding their attacking endeavours thwarted throughout. It took a set piece to end Azerbaijan’s resistance, with veteran defender Victor Palsson rising higher than everyone else to bullet home Albert Gudmundsson’s inswinging corner.

If the first half was hard work for the hosts, the second proved anything but. Indeed, Johannesson’s brace – the first a brave diving header, the second a neat finish to cap a flowing move – effectively settled the outcome before the hour-mark.

Further gloss was then added to the scoreline by goals from Gudmundsson, superbly worked once again, and Kristian Hylnsson.