Scotland put up a spirited show in their first Euro 2016 qualifying match, going down 2-1 to world champions Germany.
Thomas Muller gave the hosts a first half lead in Dortmund, only for Ikechi Anya to level midway through the second half.
However, Gordon Strachan's men were undone by Muller's second goal of the night four minutes later – before Charlie Mulgrew was dismissed in the closing stages when he kicked the ball away and received a second yellow card.
Arguably, the Scots' bid to reach the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1998 was never going to really start until next month at home to Georgia – who were beaten 2-1 by Republic of Ireland in their encounter earlier in the evening.
Poland are also qualification rivals with Gibraltar the section makeweights, and it is against those countries where expectations will rise – but on this evidence there should be room for optimism.
Germany coach Joachim Low had to reshuffle his pack following his summer success in Rio.
World Cup winners Miroslav Klose, Philip Lahm and Per Mertesacker retired from international duty while Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil and Mats Hummels were out injured.
However, Low was able to field seven of the side which played in the World Cup final against Argentina.
GREECE 0 ROMANIA 1
Romania gained instant revenge on Greece for beating them to World Cup qualification as Ciprian Marica's penalty sealed a 1-0 win. Marica netted from the spot after 10 minutes to give the visitors a victorious start.
The striker was later sent off, but his side held on to defeat the side who beat them in a play-off for a place in Brazil.
Greece reached the last 16 at the World Cup, going out only on penalties to Costa Rica, but they were quickly on the back foot in their Group F opener on Sunday night.
Jose Holebas brought down Alexandru Chipciu in the area to concede a penalty and Marica stepped up to slot his shot low into the left corner.
Marica picked up a yellow card for time-wasting in first-half stoppage-time and it proved a costly one as just nine minutes into the second half he picked up another for a foul and was dismissed.
RESULTS SUMMARY
Group D
Georgia 1, Ireland 2
Germany 2, Scotland 1
Gibraltar 0, Poland 7
Group F
Faroe Islands 1, Finland 3
Greece 0, Romania 1
Hungary 1, Northern Ireland 2
Group I
Denmark 2, Armenia 1
Portugal 0, Albania 1
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