France started their World Cup campaign in fine fashion with a comfortable 3-0 win over an aggressive Honduras side, thanks to an inspired performance from Karim Benzema.
Benzema, 26, opened the scoring from the penalty spot for France, who started with Arsenal pair of Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud on the bench.
The second then came through the Real Madrid man but was given as an own goal against Noel Valladares, the Honduras goalkeeper.
However, Benzema got another with 20 minutes left, smashing his second of the night into the roof of the net.
France controlled the game from the first whistle with Paul Pogba running the game in midfield with Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi and Mathieu Valbuena.
Their passing and movement was too much for Honduras to handle but the final ball was lacking so often.
France were rarely threatened at the back in the first half as Mamadou Sakho and Raphael Varane stepped forward on the ball with confidence and swagger.
Their dominance finally paid dividends shortly before half-time as Pogba was fouled inside the penalty area by Wilson Palacios, who sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to give France a well-deserved lead against 10 men.
The French carried on pushing forward and eventually forced a second goal, despite much confusion in the stadium.
A lovely ball into the area from Cabaye found Benzema at the far post who volleyed it back across goal, hitting the woodwork.
The ball then appeared to cross the line as Benzema wheeled away in celebration and the referee’s whistle confirmed it, but replays of the goal caused confusion.
Originally, the ball did not appear to have crossed the line but the goal line technology proved it, despite boos inside the stadium.
The goal was awarded against Honduras’ goalkeeper, Valladares, who actually deflected the ball over the line after it initially hit the post.
France were coasting at this stage, leading by two goals and up against 10 men.
Their passing through midfield was crisp and Honduras eventually started to lose their temper and throwing themselves into rash tackles.
The French picked their way through a weak defence once again, though, as a well-worked free kick with Valbuena and Mathieu Debuchy saw the Newcastle man rifle a shot into the penalty area.
It ricocheted into Benzema’s path, who then smashed it into the roof of the net.
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