Without superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, European champions Portugal got their Nations League campaign off the mark with a 1-0 win over Italy on Monday. Andre Silva scored the only goal.
Ronaldo, 33, had been left out of the squad at his own request to focus on his new Italian club Juventus.
But the Euro 2016 winners showed no sign of missing their star striker, dominating the Italians to secure their first three points in a Group 3 that also includes Poland.
Italy coach Roberto Mancini suffered his first competitive setback after being held by Poland 1-1 in their opener on Friday in Bologna, with the Azzurri on one point after two games.
"We made too many mistakes, but the lads gave everything," said Mancini.
Silva scored three minutes into the second half with AC Milan's on-loan Sevilla striker collecting a Bruma cross to beat his former Milan teammate Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Italy goal.
Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (L) vies with Portuguese forward Andre Silva (R) during the UEFA Nations League football match between Portugal and Italy at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on September 10, 2018. /VCG Photo
"I have some friends in the Italian national team, but there are no friends on the pitch," said Silva.
"Overall we were the better team on the night and deserved the win."
Italy struggled to create chances, apart from a Zaza header that went wide 12 minutes from time, as Portugal claimed their ninth straight home win. The four-time world champions now risk being relegated from their Nations League group after also failing to qualify for the World Cup.
But Mancini defended his experimental side. "We don't like losing, but it's also true that we have to take risks and get experience in these games, otherwise it's hard to move forward quickly," said the former Manchester City and Inter Milan coach.
"We would like to finish first in the group, you never know in football. We will see what happens, our starting goal is to qualify for the Europeans."
In the three-team group Portugal play in Poland on October 11, with Italy again facing the Poles on October 15.
And Portugal coach Fernando Santos ruled out talk of them now being the favorites.
"Do we have a foot in the final? We need both feet in there, because standing on one foot you risk falling over."
Scotland claim welcome win
Scotland's Steven Naismith (L) in action with Albania's Elseid Hysaj (C). /VCG Photo
Steven Naismith was on target as Scotland marked Alex McLeish's first competitive match since coming back for a second spell as manager by beating Albania 2-0 at a sodden Hampden on Monday.
The Hearts forward Naismith, 31, had an eventful night, forcing Berat Xhimshiti into scoring the own goal that put Scotland ahead just after half-time before he scored the second goal that clinched victory.
This was their first game in the new UEFA Nations League, a competition which offers the carrot of a possible qualifying spot for Euro 2020.
"I'm really proud of the victory tonight because we were under pressure, everybody said we must win, and we did." said McLeish
After this result, they are level with Albania on three points in Group 1 of the third-tier League C.