Europe's elite kick off battle for supremacy

Spain's new era

Spain responded to its disappointing World Cup showing by sacking coach Luis Enrique, with Luis de la Fuente named as his replacement.

The 61-year-old De la Fuente had previously coached Spain's youth teams since 2013, most recently the Under-23 side.

De la Fuente has overseen sweeping changes to the squad, including the notable decision to recall Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

With Sergio Busquets retiring and his Barcelona colleague Jordi Alba not featuring, there are now no survivors from the team that won Euro 2012.

Spain is in qualifying Group A where it kicks off at home in Malaga against a Norway side missing the injured Erling Haaland and then faces Scotland in Glasgow next Tuesday.

Ronaldo retained

Those who thought Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia following the World Cup signaled the end of his international career were surprised as the 38-year-old was named in new Portugal coach Roberto Martinez's first squad.

"I do not look at the age," said Martinez when asked about his decision to include the former Real Madrid and Manchester United man.

Ronaldo holds the world record for men's international goals with 118. He holds the European men's record of 196 caps, a tally that also equals the world landmark with Kuwait's Bader Al-Mutawa.

Ronaldo will expect to claim that record outright, and add to his goal tally, when Portugal faces Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.

The 2016 European champion also plays Iceland, Slovakia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group J.

Sideline switches

Spain and Portugal are far from the only European nations going into qualifying with a new coach.

Ronald Koeman returned as coach of the Netherlands after Louis van Gaal departed following the World Cup.

After eight years in charge of Portugal, Fernando Santos is the new man in charge of Poland.

Italy-born German Domenico Tedesco has replaced Martinez as coach of Belgium.

Michael O'Neill has returned for a second spell as coach of Northern Ireland, who he took to the last 16 of Euro 2016.

AFP