Sergio Ramos scored the winner from the penalty spot as Spain recorded a 2-1 victory over Norway to begin their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, while Nicolo Barella and Moise Kean scored in either half as Italy launched their  qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win against Finland.

Spain vs Norway

The home side looked dangerous from the start, with Navas a key figure, and took the lead in the 15th minute when Jordi Alba’s pull-back was volleyed in by Valencia’s Rodrigo for his fifth international goal.

The home hero nearly had a second five minutes later but his neat back heel from Navas’ cross was smartly saved by Rune Jarstein.

It was largely one-way traffic but Norway should have pulled one back after half an hour.

Markus Henriksen counter-attacked down the right and drilled the ball across goal for the sliding Tarik Elyounoussi, who was all alone two yards out but somehow diverted the ball away.

Alvaro Morata appeared on a mission to score with his head and came close twice in a matter of moments, first being denied by Jarstein and then looping an effort just wide.

Spain did have the ball in the back of the net again five minutes before the break but Alba was clearly offside.

The only disappointment for Spain was that they were not further in front, and they continued to look very dangerous in the early stages of the second half, with Ramos missing from very close range.

They were made to pay for their profligacy when Inigo Martinez was penalised for hauling down substitute Bjorn Johnsen as a corner came in and King confidently dispatched the spot-kick.

But parity lasted only six minutes before Ramos converted another spot-kick.

Norway only had themselves to blame as a poor back pass played in Morata and Jarstein came flying out of his goal to chop down the striker. Ramos again chose the Panenka and pulled it off with panache to secure the three points.

Italy vs Finland

The Scandinavians rode the early storm and grew into the game, looking every bit as comfortable on the ball as their hosts.

Italy were content to stretch their opponents on the break and in teenager Kean they had the first half’s most dangerous player.

Kean set up Cristiano Piccini, who fired wide, while Federico Bernardeschi’s effort from outside the area was off target.

But Italy were also found wanting with their final ball on the edge of the penalty area, with clear-cut chances at a premium.

Finland mustered the first effort on goal in the second period when Norwich striker Teemu Pukki’s shot was blocked.

Pukki, leading goalscorer in the Sky Bet Championship this season, spurned Finland’s best chance in the 65th minute when he misdirected Robin Lod’s cross.

Finland continued to press for an equaliser with 20 minutes left, but Kean struck a second, decisive goal for Italy in the 74th minute.

Ciro Immobile provided a fine through ball and Keane ran on before firing home, left-footed, into the bottom corner.

Italy had a strong penalty appeal waved away soon after when Kean appeared to be fouled by Sauli Vaisanen and substitute Fabio Quagliarella’s header was brilliantly saved by Lukas Hradecky.

Quagliarella clipped the crossbar with a rising drive in the closing stages as Italy settled for a deserved 2-0 success.

Italy will aim for back-to-back wins when they play Liechtenstein in Parma on Tuesday, while Finland play in Armenia on the same day.