Former champions Germany, England and Italy got off to winning starts in their World Cup qualifying campaigns on Thursday but Spain were held to a 1-1 home draw by Greece. 

Four-time winners Germany enjoyed a 3-0 win over Group J rivals Iceland in Duisburg thanks to goals from Leon Goretzka, Kai Havertz and Ilkay Gundogan. 

The Germans took the lead after a delightful move as Joshua Kimmich found Serge Gnabry with a perfectly weighted pass and he touched it back for Goretzka to volley home in the third minute. 

Havertz made it 2-0 after another defense-splitting pass from Kimmich released Leroy Sane who squared it back for the Chelsea forward to curl in a low shot. 

Meanwhile, Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice and Ollie Watkins marked his debut with a goal as England crushed San Marino 5-0 at Wembley. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned in style by setting up the decisive goal in his first Sweden appearance in nearly five years with 1-0 home win over Georgia. 

The 39-year-old had made his last international appearance at Euro 2016 before donning his country's yellow shirt for the 117th time in the Swedes' Group B opener. 

In Parma, Roberto Mancini's Italy had a tougher task but also made a positive start with a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in Group C. 

Elsewhere, Robert Lewandowski struck a thunderous 83rd-minute equalizer as Poland fought back to earn a 3-3 draw with Hungary. 

Spain were left frustrated after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Greece. The hosts had 78 percent of possession throughout the Group B match, but rarely tested Odisseas Vlachodimos in the Greek goal, with their final ball uncharacteristically wayward. 

The 2010 World Cup winners will travel to Georgia in their second qualifier on Sunday, the same day Greece host Honduras in a friendly. 

The 2022 World Cup finals will be held in Qatar in November and December next year. 

(With input from agencies)