Germany’s Thomas Mueller struck twice to lead the world champions to a nervous 2-1 victory over Scotland last night to kick off their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Mueller scored with a flicked header in the 18th minute as Germany looked to be cruising to a win with chances galore in the first half.

But the Scots fought on and speedy Ikechi Anya stunned the hosts with a superb finish in the 66th minute. Mueller, however, restored Germany’s lead with a scruffy effort four minutes later following a corner.

Germany were give a few scares, although they could also have added to their lead in a frantic finale that saw Mueller denied by the woodwork and Scotland’s Charlie Mulgrew dismissed for a second yellow card.

A superb header from substitute Thomas Kahlenberg helped Denmark fight back from a goal down to beat Armenia 2-1 in their opening Group I qualifier in Copenhagen.

Armenia took the lead early in the second when Henrikh Mkhitaryan finished a flowing move by rifling the ball past Kasper Schmeichel in the 50th minute and a repeat of their 4-0 win in Denmark a year ago in a World Cup qualifier looked possible.

However, the Danes equalised with 19-year-old midfielder Pierre Hojbjerg scoring his first goal for his country with a rasping left-foot drive.

Kahlenberg replaced captain William Kvist in midfield and in the 80th minute he thumped in a header from Nicklas Bendtner’s left-foot cross.

In Budapest, Kyle Lafferty and Niall McGinn were the late heroes as Northern Ireland marked the ninth anniversary of their famous victory over England by grabbing a dramatic 2-1 win in their Euro 2016 opener against Hungary.

September 7 will always be a special day for Northern Ireland and ever more so after Lafferty bundled home the scrappiest, most ecstatic finish of his career to give his side a first away success in four long years.

Aiden McGeady launched Martin O’Neill’s competitive reign as Republic of Ireland boss in style with a match-winning double in Georgia.

Ireland looked likely to have to settle for a point in Tbilisi after Tornike Okriashvili’s piledriver had cancelled out McGeady 24th-minute opener.

But with time running down, the Everton winger curled home a 90th-minute winner.

Albania handed demoralised Portugal one of their most embarrassing international defeats when a spectacular volley by Bekim Balaj gave the rank outsiders a 1-0 away win.

The defeat was the last thing Portugal coach Paulo Bento needed after clinging to his job despite his side’s dismal World Cup display, when they went out in the group stage.

Summaries and next fixtures

Played yesterday

Group D

Georgia 1
Okriashvili 38;
Ireland 2
McGeady 24, 90;

Germany 2
Mueller 18, 70;
Scotland 1
Anya 66;

Red card: Mulgrew (S) 90.

Gibraltar 0
Poland 7
Grosicki 11, 48; Lewandowski 50, 54; Lewandowski 86, 90; Szukala 58;

Group F

Hungary 1
Priskin 75;
N. Ireland 2
McGinn 81; Lafferty 88;

Faroe Islands 1
Holst 41;
Finland 3
Riski 53, 78; Eremenko 82;

Greece 0
Romania 1
Marica 10 pen;

Red card: Marica (R) 53.

Group I

Denmark 2
Hoejbjerg 65; Kahlenberg 80;
Armenia 1
Mkhitaryan 50;

Portugal 0
Albania 1
Balaj 52;

Friendly International

Serbia 1
Kolarov 80;
France 1
Pogba 13;

Playing today

Group C
Luxembourg vs Belarus (20.45)
Spain vs Macedonia (20.45)
Ukraine vs Slovakia (20.45)

Group E
Estonia vs Slovenia (20.45)
San Marino vs Lithuania (20.45)
Switzerland vs England (20.45)

Group G
Russia vs Liechtenstein (18.00)
Austria vs Sweden (20.45)
Montenegro vs Moldova (20.45)

Tomorrow

Group A
Kazakhstan vs Latvia (18.00)
Czech Rep. vs Netherlands (20.45)
Iceland vs Turkey (20.45)

Group B
Andorra vs Wales (20.45)
Bosnia vs Cyprus (20.45)

Group H
Azerbaijan vs Bulgaria (18.00)
Croatia vs Malta (20.45)
Norway vs Italy (20.45)