( CNN ) -- Shocks were at a premium as 2014 World Cup qualifying kicked off in Europe Friday but Portugal were given a fright before beating minnows Luxembourg 2-1 in their opener in Group F. It needed a Cristiano Ronaldo equalizer in the first half to cancel out Daniel Da Mota 's 14th minute opener for the hosts . Helder Postiga hit the winner just before the hour mark as they kept pace with Russia , who earlier beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Moscow . Of the big guns , England were the most comprehensive winners , beating Moldova 5-0 in Chisinau with Frank Lampard scoring a first half double and Jermain Defoe adding the other . James Milner and Leighton Baines were on target after the break as Roy Hodgson 's team took an early advantage in Group H with Montenegro and Poland sharing four goals in the other match in the qualifying section . Germany were made to work hard by the Faroe Islands whose goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen made a series of fine saves . The home side only led 1-0 at halftime in Hannover , but a second half double from Real Madrid star Mesut Ozil gave them a more comfortable 3-0 advantage by the final whistle . Republic of Ireland were the other winners on the night in Group C as two late goals from Robbie Keane , with a penalty , and Kevin Doyle gave them a fortunate 2-1 win in Kazakhstan . Euro 2012 runners-up Italy were grateful for a 2-2 draw in Bulgaria in Group , falling behind to a long range strike from Stanislav Manolev . Italy hit back in the Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia with a pair of goals from their Argentine-born striker Pablo Osvaldo . But Gerogi Milanov finished off a fine move to give the home side a deserved point . France made a winning start in the tough looking Group I which also features reigning World and European champions Spain , who sat out the opening round of fixtures . Didier Deschamps ' new charges emerged 1-0 winners in Finland with Abou Diaby first half strike proving the difference . New Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made a fine late save to keep out the hosts . The Netherlands had Manchester United 's Robin van Persie on target as they beat Turkey 2-0 in a heavyweight clash to start Group D. Group A favorites Belgium , packed with big money English Premier League signings , made a solid start to their campaign with a 2-0 win over Wales , who had James Collins sent off in the first half . Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany headed them in front before the break with Tottenham 's Jan Vertonghen sealing the three points in Cardiff . Bosnia-Herzegovina secured the biggest win of the night in Liechtenstein as Vedad Ibisevic and Edin Dzeko scored hat-tricks in an 8-1 romp .
Cristiano Ronaldo 's Portugal have to come from behind to beat Luxembourg 2-1 . The Portuguese are the first team in European football history to win all three of their group stage matches and go through on away goals, with a 1-0 victory over Switzerland meaning they will face Germany or Italy England win 5-0 in Moldova in first qualifying match for manager Roy Hodgson . Germany , France and the Netherlands also secure opening wins .