Also at that level, Mario Pasalic scored twice for Croatia as they won handsomely in Estonia.

Serbian captain Ivanovic and Matic both completed the 90 minutes in Bordeaux against next summer’s European Championship hosts, who raced into a two-goal lead courtesy of PSG’s Blaise Matuidi.

Aleksander Mitrovic of Newcastle responded before half-time though and the Serbians went close to an equaliser on a couple of occasions after the break. Kurt Zouma was not involved for the hosts.

Serbia’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2017 were ended on Friday night but Denmark can still progress from Group I after their 0-0 draw in Armenia today. Andreas Christensen was an unused substitute for the Danes, who stay second after Portugal scored a last-minute winner in Albania. Portugual host Denmark in the next matchday, with Serbia visiting Albania.

At Under-21 level, Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland’s England won 1-0 away against Norway in their first qualification game for the European Championships in 2017.

Loftus-Cheek started in central midfield and was replaced with 20 minutes remaining, while Chalobah was brought on at the break as England sought to hold on to a lead given to them in first-half injury time by James Ward-Prowse’s penalty. That they did despite plenty of pressure from the Norwegians in the eastern city of Drammen.

Croatia’s Under-21 side made it two wins from two in their quest to qualify and that was also the number of goals Pasalic, our midfielder on loan at Monaco, scored in their 4-0 win in Estonia today. The Croatian skipper struck either side of half-time, the second goal from the penalty spot.

Elsewhere, Ola Aina played the whole of England Under-20s’ 1-0 loss to Czech Republic at Shrewsbury. In the age group below, England’s Under-19 side drew 1-1 with Croatia. Jake Clarke-Salter captained the team before his withdrawal at half-time; Tammy Abraham played the full game in a wide-right attacking position while Dominic Solanke came off the bench soon after England levelled through Tottenham’s Josh Onomah on 72 minutes. Abraham was denied a late winner by some brave defending.