Serbia, who were knocked out by Portugal at the World Cup in September, took an early lead through captain Marko Pršić inside two minutes.

The 31-year-old then added a second just past the six-minute mark to inflict further misery on Jorge Braz's men.

However, Pauleta found the net in the 11^th minute with a calmly slotted finish to bring the world champions back into the match.

Sporting CP veteran Pany Varela equalised seven minutes later with a sensational curling effort that Nemanja Momčilović could only watch as it flew into the back of the net.

A quickfire double from Jesus and Tomás Paçó within 30 seconds of each other in the 25^th minute put the game to bed as Portugal were able to hold firm for the remaining quarter of an hour.

"It's always good to start with a win but I can't say the same regarding the way we started the match," said Braz.

"It wasn't easy but in the second half we were the Portugal that everybody knows."

In the end, Portugal were good value for their victory having taken 38 shots to Serbia's 26.

"We started really well and if someone told us before the match that we would be two goals up so soon in the match we probably wouldn't have believed it," said Pršić.

"What happened after that?

"Portugal happened!"

The Netherlands had a nightmare start on home soil as Mykhailo Zvarych found the net for Ukraine after just 52 seconds.

Despite increasing pressure from the hosts, they could not draw level and went into the break 1-0 down.

However, The Netherlands' captain Oualid Saadouni scored the equaliser after heading home a clearance from goalkeeper Manuel Kuijk after 21 minutes.

Mohamed Attaibi slotted home a loose ball two minutes later to give The Netherlands the lead with his 40^th international goal before Said Bouzambou made it 3-1 on the half hour mark.

With three minutes left on the clock, Petro Shoturma pulled one back for Ukraine to set up a thrilling finale.

Max Tjaden's men held firm, however, as they recorded the country's first win against Ukraine in their history.