Everton captain Seamus Coleman played the full 90 minutes in the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying opener against Serbia but his side were edged out 3-2 in Belgrade.

Allan Browne headed the Irish in front on 18 minutes but Serbia levelled through Dusan Vlahovic shortly before half-time.

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic netted twice to put the home side in control and while Ireland – who were skippered by Coleman – reduced the deficit four minutes from time through James Collins, they could not conjure a dramatic equaliser.

Everton striker Joshua King was introduced as 62nd-minute substitute as Norway kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win in Gibraltar.

Norway dominated the match and had 29 shots to the home side’s one – but they took until the 43rd minute to break the deadlock through Alexander Sørloth.

Kristian Thorstvedt doubled Norway’s lead on the stroke of half-time and Jonas Svensson added a third on 57 minutes.

Toffees left-back Lucas Digne was an unused substitute as France were held to a 1-1 draw by Ukraine.

Antoine Griezmann’s first-half strike was cancelled out by a Presnel Kimpembe own goal at the Stade de France.

Teenage Everton goalkeeper Zan-Luk Leban was also an unused substitute as Slovenia Under-21s were beaten 3-0 by Spain in their opening match of the European Under-21 Championships.