LONDON: World champion Italy and England both salvaged draws Wednesday in their final matches before the start of World Cup qualifying, while European champion Spain enjoyed a winning start to life under new coach Vicente Del Bosque.

Two months after Spain ended its 44-year wait for a major trophy, Luis Aragones’ successor began his tenure with a 3-0 victory over Denmark. Euro 2008 runner-up Germany had a 2-0 win over Belgium.

Returning coaches had mixed fortunes. Italy’s Marcello Lippi saw his 2006 World Cup-winning side rally from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with Austria, while Carlos Queiroz began a second spell leading Portugal with a 5-0 rout of the Faeroe Islands.

Despite England salvaging a 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic in stoppage time, Fabio Capello’s side was outclassed and jeered by a disappointed Wembley crowd. The penultimate round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying also began Wednesday; with Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Mexico getting a fright before winning while the United States recorded an away win.

Elsewhere in European friendlies, France rallied from a 1-0 deficit to beat Sweden 3-2, Russia drew 1-1 with the Netherlands, and Argentina, missing key players on Olympic duty, was held to a scoreless draw at Belarus. In Copenhagen, Del Bosque’s debut extended Spain’s winning streak to 23 matches, but was overshadowed by Wednesday’s plane crash at a Madrid airport which claimed more than 150 lives. A minute’s silence was held before kickoff, and set the tone for the first half. It took the introduction of Xabi Alonso at halftime to energize Spain, and the midfielder volleyed the visitors ahead in the 50th minute after taking a pass from Liverpool teammate Fernando Torres.

At Wembley, England began confidently, but the Czechs completed a slick passing sequence down the left flank to take a surprise lead as Milan Baros turned away from his marker to strike his 32nd international goal, with the ball deflecting off a defender. David Beckham’s precise corner set up the equalizer just before halftime, with Wes Brown heading it in at the near post.

Elsewhere, Croatia came back from behind twice to edge neighbor Slovenia 3-2, Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland and Ukraine drew 1-1, Turkey edged Chile 1-0, Georgia won 2-1 at Wales, Norway held Ireland to 1-1, Greece overcame Slovakia 2-0, while Scotland and Northern Ireland played out a goalless draw.

In CONCACAF qualifying, Mexico — playing its first serious match under new manager Eriksson — looked at threat of a shock home defeat by Honduras when it trailed 1-0 past the halfway point of the second half before two long-range Pavel Pardo shots within three minutes secured a 2-1 win.

In the other Group 2 match, Canada was held 1-1 at home by Jamaica.

In Group 1, the US came away from its visit to Guatemala with a 1-0 win thanks to a 69th minute header by Carlos Bocanegra, while Trinidad and Tobago won 3-1 away at Cuba. The Soca Warriors were 3-0 up before having a man sent off and conceding a late goal.

A penalty in the first minute of the second half was enough for home team Costa Rica to beat El Salvador 1-0 in Group 3. The other group game saw Haiti draw 2-2 at home against Surinam.

The top teams from each group will progress to the final round of qualifying, from which the top three qualify for the World Cup and the fourth goes into a playoff against a South American opponent.