With Cristiano Ronaldo still missing due to injury, European champions Portugal began their bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with a disappointing 2-0 defeat in Switzerland on Tuesday. Elsewhere on Tuesday, Euro 2016 runners-up France also showed signs of a hangover from their summer exertions as Les Bleus were held to a 0-0 draw in Belarus in Group A, while the Netherlands came from behind to draw 1-1 in Sweden. In Nicosia, former Everton boss Roberto Martinez's first competitive match as coach of Belgium ended in a 3-0 win against Cyprus. France have had problems against Belarus in the recent past, including taking just one point against the former Soviet Republic in Euro 2012 qualifying. Liam Walker scored to briefly have Gibraltar level in the first half in Faro, Portugal.

Source: dna September 07, 2016 05:26 UTC