England [ Images ] were booed off at halftime against Andorra before grinding out a 2-0 victory as Europe's 2010 World Cup qualifiers began in earnest on Saturday.
England's Fabio Capello was among several high-profile coaches looking for a win in their first competitive game in charge, along with fellow Italian Giovanni Trapattoni and Vicente del Bosque.
Trapattoni enjoyed a victorious start with Ireland, who edged Georgia 2-1 in a match played in neutral Germany [ Images ] because of Georgia's recent conflict with Russia [ Images ].
Former Real Madrid [ Images ] coach Del Bosque, who succeeded Luis Aragones as Spain's coach after their victory at Euro 2008 [ Images ], leads the world number ones against Bosnia later.
England's millionaire players took on the part-timers of Andorra in a Group Six mis-match in Barcelona.
England have looked pedestrian in friendlies under Capello and a tedious first half, in which they failed to break down Andorra's massed defence, evoked memories of his predecessor Steve McClaren's ill-fated attempt to qualify for Euro 2008.
Capello's blushes were spared by two goals from substitute Joe Cole [ Images ] early in the second half as England at least posted a victory before Wednesday's clash against Croatia.
Elsewhere, Euro 2008 semi-finalists Turkey beat Armenia 2-0 in Group Five, but there were disappointing starts for Romania, Poland and Sweden, all of whom played at Euro 2008.
Romania were humbled 3-0 at home by Lithuania in Group Seven, Sweden were held 0-0 by Albania in Tirana in Group One and Poland drew 1-1 at home to Slovenia in Group Three.
Andriy Shevchenko scored a last-minute penalty to give Ukraine, who qualified for the finals for the first time in Germany two years ago, a 1-0 victory over Belarus in Group Six.
Europe's 53 teams are chasing 13 of the 32 final berths in South Africa [ Images ] with the nine group winners qualifying directly along with four runners-up who come through a playoff round.
World champions Italy [ Images ], Germany and France [ Images ], along with European champions Spain, were all in action later.


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