Over in europe, Italy kicked off their campaign with a match against Israel. Coach Giampiero Ventura was looking for a win from his first qualifying fixture in charge. And he would get a good effort the CSL member on his squad, as Shandong Luneng's Graziano Pelle would find the net.

Ventura taking helm of Italy after Euro 2016 as former boss Antonio Conte joined Chelsea in the summer.

In the 14th minute, Graziano Pelle taps in from close range to help the Azzuri open the scoring, 1-0. The Shandong Luneng striker continues his good run of play from the European championship.

Later on, Giacomo Bonaventura is barely touched, but goes down in the area, and the ref points to the spot.

Antonio Candreva converts it to give Italy a 2-nil cushion.

But Israel get themselves back into the match in the 35th. Tal Ben Chaim lofts a ball over Gianluigi Buffon, and the momentum shifts.

The hosts would receive a further boost in the 55th when defender Chiellini is sent off.

But substitute Ciro Immobile seals the 3-1 victory for Italy in the 83rd minute, which makes amends for Chiellini's first red in an international.

Also in Group G, Spain, taking on Liechtenstein. Diego Costa's header pushes Spain 1-0 ahead in the first half.

Julen Lopetegui puts on Nolito at the half, and substitution livens up his side. The Manchester City winger sets up Roberto to grab his first international goal.

David Silva makes it a 3-0 lead for Spain around the hour mark.

Then the goals started coming, following Vitolo's goal, Costa gets his second in the 66th before coming off to a standing ovation. It's 5-0.

But his replacement Alvaro Morata threatens to upstage him with two strikes in under a minute. Silva then seals the score at 8-0. The other match of the group saw Albania draw Macedonia 1-1.

In Group D, Wales start their World Cup qualifying journey in style by dumping Moldova 4-0. Gareth Bale scored twice including a penalty. Serbia held Ireland 2-2. Daryl Murphy scored the equalizer in the 80th minute. Austria won 2-1 at Georgia.

In Group I, Andriy Shevchenko's Ukraine drew Iceland 1-1. The former AC Milan legend saw his team missed a penalty in the second half. Croatia held Turkey 1-1. Finland drew Kosovo 1-all, that is the first ever point for the Kosovors, the newest member of FIFA.