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Agence France-Presse

France beat 10-man Honduras 3-0 in a bruising World Cup clash on Sunday where goal-line technology awarded the first international goal in history.
Three minutes into the second period, the German-manufactured GoalControl system was called into action when a volley from Karim Benzema, who ended the night with two goals, came back off the post.
The ball bounced back into the area before hitting Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares.
He then tried to scoop the ball to safety, but the instant technology showed he had first fumbled it narrowly over the line.

WATCH: The moment goal-line technology decided a goal for the first time

“I shot and the ball hit the post and then the goalkeeper,” said Benzema.
“I saw that the ball crossed the line. I don’t know if having technology like this is good for football but the most important thing was that we have won.
“It’s my first World Cup,” Benzema said. “It was important to win this match.
“I am very satisfied the team won and from a personal point of view I managed to score two goals.  I just want to play my football without thinking about any pressure.”

“Winning 3-0 at a World Cup isn’t easy,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “[The players should] savour the moment, there’s nothing more wonderful.
Benzema was flanked by the creative duo of Antoine Griezmann and  Mathieu Valbuena and, although Deschamps was keen to hail his team’s  performance as a whole, he reserved special words of praise for Benzema.
“Karim is of course the man who was decisive. He scored the goals. This evening I made a choice given our opponents to have an offensive line that was very athletic.
“Be it Karim, Antoine or Mathieu they all played very well as did the midfield and that allowed us to break down the Hondurans.”
Benzema was the star man as he opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Wilson Palacios had been sent-off for two bookable offences on Paul Pogba.
Benzema then played a major role in his side’s historic second goal and the Real Madrid striker rounded off a fine afternoon with an emphatic finish 18 minutes from time.

Victory moves Didier Deschamps’ men above Switzerland on goal difference in Group E after the Swiss beat Ecuador 2-1 earlier in the day with the two European sides set to meet next on Friday in Salvador.
The game had begun in bizarre circumstances as neither sides’ national anthem was sung before kick-off, but normality was restored once proceedings got underway as France dominated from the off.

WATCH: Karim Benzema belts home the third
Blaise Matuidi had the first clear chance on 15 minutes when Mathieu Valbuena’s free-kick was only partially cleared and the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder’s effort was brilliantly turned onto the bar by Valladares.
Antoine Griezmann was then also denied by the crossbar for Les Bleus as he rose highest to meet Patrice Evra’s cross but his header clipped the woodwork on its way over.
Benzema saw another good opportunity fly over moments later as he headed off target after a fine counter-attack involving Matuidi, Griezmann and Valbuena.

Ricci had a big call to make midway through the half when Pogba clashed with Palacios.
The Juventus midfielder lashed out at Palacios after appearing to be stamped on, but Ricci showed only yellow cards to both.
Palacios was only to last another 16 minutes in any case as he stupidly bundled Pogba over inside the area a minute before half-time and was shown his second yellow card.
Benzema stepped up to convert the resulting spot-kick to register his seventh goal in as many games for France and his first in a World Cup.
The 26-year-old was heavily involved again as France doubled their advantage within three minutes of the second-half courtesy of the goal line technology.
Benzema should have added to his tally moments later when he was picked out by a fine low cross from Griezmann but could only fire straight at Valladares.
However, he wasn’t to be denied 18 minutes from time when he fired expertly high past Valladares from a narrow angle to seal the three points.
 


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Fifa World Cup 2014

France 3 Honduras 0: Les Bleus outshine bully-boys as goal-line technology comes into play

Paul Pogba takes a battering at the feet of Honduras' midfield. Photo: AFP

Bodies go flying. Photo: AFP

Honduras keeper Noel Valladeres tries to claw the ball back after knocking it over the line. Photo: Reuters

The ball goes over the line for France's second. Photo: Reuters

The ball crosses the line. Photo: AP

No doubts about France's third goal from Karim Benzema. Photo: AFP

Sport

Football

Wilson Palacios sent off for hard-hitting Central Americans; second goal confirmed after GLT replay


France 3 Honduras 0: Les Bleus outshine bully-boys as goal-line technology comes into play

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Wilson Palacios sent off for hard-hitting Central Americans; second goal confirmed after GLT replay

Wilson Palacios sent off for hard-hitting Central Americans; second goal confirmed after GLT replay