BASEL, Switzerland (AFP) — Danny Welbeck scored twice as England launched their 2016 European Championship qualifying campaign with an encouraging 2-0 win away to chief Group E rivals Switzerland in Basel yesterday.

England had been criticised for a lacklustre display in their 1-0 friendly victory over Norway last week, but with a new midfield diamond introduced by manager Roy Hodgson, they put on an improved showing at St Jakob-Park.

Welbeck was deputising for the injured Daniel Sturridge and the new Arsenal striker rose to the occasion, touching home a cross from Raheem Sterling in the 58th minute and then sealing victory in stoppage time.

It was Switzerland’s first competitive home defeat since a 3-1 loss to England in October 2010 and meant that new coach Vladimir Petkovic began his tenure in losing fashion.

However, with the top two teams in the group guaranteed to qualify for the tournament in France, it is likely to prove a flesh wound for a side ranked ninth in the world after their run to the last 16 at the World Cup.

Facing the team he coached for almost four years, Hodgson used a diamond shape that saw Sterling line up behind Welbeck and Wayne Rooney, with Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere and Fabian Delph in midfield.

Delph was making his full debut and began brightly, but he was also booked after sliding in on Valon Behrami and Stephan Lichtsteiner in quick succession.

The system meant that England always seemed to have options in possession, and they began to carve out chances.

Rooney spurned three of them, failing to get a shot away after being picked out by Wilshere, scuffing an effort at Yann Sommer from Sterling’s pass, and heading over a centre from Leighton Baines.

England also failed to exploit a three-on-one situation in the 29th minute, with Welbeck bursting free down the right but failing to pick out either Sterling or Rooney with his pass.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart had to save with his legs from Haris Seferovic after Phil Jones gifted the ball to Xherdan Shaqiri, but it was only thanks to Switzerland goalkeeper Sommer that the score remained blank at the break.

In another match yesterday, a goal on his competitive international debut by Paco Alcacer helped Spain bounce back after a disastrous defence of their World Cup crown in Brazil as the European champions opened their qualifying campaign with a 5-1 win over Macedonia.

A Sergio Ramos penalty added to Alcacer’s goal put the hosts 2-0 up early on in Valencia, but Agim Ibraimi brought Macedonia back into the game from the penalty spot.

However, there was no doubt over the outcome after Sergio Busquets added a third just on the verge of half-time before David Silva and Pedro Rodriguez rounded off the scoring in the second period.