Blanc begins Les Bleus reign with defeat
Laurent Blanc's reign as France coach began with a defeat as his new blood were sunk by Norway striker Erik Huseklepp's brace in Oslo.
• International friendlies gallery
Having suspended the entire squad involved in this summer's World Cup fiasco, Blanc essentially offered an open audition to their replacements ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
Hatem Ben Arfa seized the chance with a magnificent goal shortly after his introduction at half-time, but Brann winger Huseklepp netted a double to grab victory.
David Silva struck in stoppage time to earn world champions Spain a draw in Mexico after Javier Hernandez had given the hosts an early lead.
A spirit of celebration was in the air at the legendary Estadio Azteca but the game failed to live up to expectations as even a 12th-minute strike from Manchester United new boy Hernandez could not light up a drab affair.
Mexico thought they were heading for a famous victory but new Manchester City signing Silva levelled in added time to spare Spain's blushes.
Switzerland claimed local bragging rights with a 1-0 win over neighbours Austria in Vienna.
Ottmar Hitzfeld's side, who were famously the only team to beat Spain at this summer's World Cup, grabbed the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute through Moreno Constanzo.
The home side had a golden chance to take the lead five minutes earlier but Christian Fuchs, captaining the side for the first time, missed a penalty.
England's first game back at Wembley since returning from a disappointing World Cup in South Africa ended in a narrow 2-1 victory against Hungary.
Captain Steven Gerrard bagged a brace to claim victory for a new-look Three Lions, after a Phil Jagielka own goal had given the away side the lead.
Craig Levein suffered his first defeat as Scotland manager as a patchwork side slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Sweden in Stockholm.
Goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Emir Bajrami and Ola Toivonen gave the home side a deserved victory.
Edinson Cavani and Abel Hernandez were on target in the final six minutes to earn World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay a 2-0 victory over Angola in Lisbon.
A first international goal for Zenit St Petersburg defender Roman Shirokov after six minutes earned Russia a 1-0 victory over Bulgaria.
A third-choice Netherlands side produced a fine display to earn a creditable draw with the Ukraine in Donetsk.
Coach Bert van Marwijk has selected just one member of his World Cup squad for this first fixture since their final defeat to Spain, but his players did not let him down as they matched their more experienced opponents.
After a woeful first 45 minutes the game sprang to life after the break and Jeremain Lens gave the visitors the lead with a close-range finish in the 73rd minute. But it took only a minute for the hosts to level thanks to Oleksandr Aliev's stunning free-kick.
Argentina spoiled the party for Ireland and their captain Robbie Keane at the new Aviva Stadium.
Rising star Angel Di Maria can now add the opening international strike in the rebuilt Lansdowne Road to his list of credits while Keane, on a night when he earned his 100th cap, barely came close to adding to his record haul of 43 for the Republic.
Czech Republic were in fine form as they defeated Latvia 4-1. After a goalless first half, Roman Bednar netted the opener in the 49th minute.
Martin Fenin added the second five minutes later and goals from Zdenek Pospech and Tomas Necid put the match beyond Latvia, who managed a late consolation from Aleksandrs Cauna.
Denmark recovered from two goals down to grab a deserved 2-2 draw with Germany in the two nations' first fixture since the World Cup.
Mario Gomez put Germany ahead against the run of play in the 19th minute and Patrick Helmes added a second in the 73rd.
However, Dennis Rommedahl and Mads Junker struck back to ensure that Morten Olsen's side earned a draw in Copenhagen.
In Pitso Mosimane's first game as South Africa manager, Bafana Bafana defeated Ghana 1-0 at Soccer City on thanks to Katlego Mphela's 42nd minute winner.
Mphela ran onto a Steven Pienaar's pass behind the defence and beat goalkeeper Richard Kingson.
Wales scored four second-half goals to destroy Luxembourg 5-1 in Llanelli. Captain Craig Bellamy put the seal on an outstanding individual display with his country's fifth goal, which followed earlier efforts by David Cotterill, Andy King, Ashley Williams and a Joe Ledley penalty.
Luxembourg produced a spectacular first-half goal from striker Joel Kitenge, but they they were reduced to 10 men after 77 minutes when Mario Mutsch was sent off.
Radomir Dalovic scored either side of half-time to hand Montenegro a 2-0 victory and leave Northern Ireland frustrated in their match in Podgorica, while Cyprus beat Andorra 1-0.
Samuel Eto'o scored twice as Cameroon bounced back after their World Cup disappointment with a 3-0 victory against Poland.
The Inter Milan forward netted in the 29th and 52nd minutes before Vincent Aboubakar rounded off the scoring.
Serbia suffered a surprise home defeat by Greece, Dimitris Salpingidis grabbing the only goal on the stroke of half-time, while Slovakia and Croatia drew 1-1.
Miroslav Stoch opened the scoring for the hosts in the 50th minute but it took only four minutes for Nikica Jelavic to level for Croatia.
Slovenia, meanwhile, posted an impressive 2-0 victory over Australia thanks to late goals from Zlatko Dedic and Zlatan Ljubijankic.
Turkey left it late to see off Romania, with Emre Belozoglu grabbing the opener in the 82nd minute and Arda Turan sealing a 2-0 win four minutes later.
Belgium's international woes continued as an own goal by Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany gave Finland a 1-0 victory.
Paraguay beat Costa Rica 2-0 on Wednesday night in their first friendly international since the World Cup finals.
Enrique Vera gave Paraguay the lead in the eighth minute and Cristian Riveros doubled their advantage 17 minutes from time. Salvador Cabanas, who missed the World Cup after he was shot in the head earlier this year, was honoured at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco by the home fans before the match.
In La Paz, Bolivia and Colombia played out a 1-1 draw. The Cafeteros went ahead in the 37th minute with an own goal by goalkeeper Daniel Vaca. Carlos Bacca's header from Cristian Marrugo's corner hit the post and then the back of the Bolivian custodian before going into the net.
The lead lasted until the 63rd minute, when substitute Roberto Galindo restored parity from Joselito Vaca's free-kick. It was Colombia's third friendly match under Hernan Dario Gomez. Before the World Cup, they lost 2-1 to South Africa and drew 1-1 with Nigeria.
Finally, in Panama City, Panama produced a stunning late comeback to defeat Venezuela 3-1. Oswaldo Vizcarrondo put the visitors ahead in the 71st minute, but Luis Tejada (82), Blas Perez (87) and Edwin Aguilar (90) turned the match on its head.
