While the 3-0 score-line tends to suggest a one-sided affair, the contest was far from it. Until the 42nd minutes, the two sides were almost evenly matched, though Frenchman Blaise Matuidi came close to scoring earlier. While Matuidi’s scorching shot was instinctively tipped over the bar by Noel Valladares, Honduras also had their chances but they couldn’t draw any purchase from them. As the halftime approached, the score was still 0-0 but in the 43rd minute, Wilson Palacios stupidly pushed Paul Pogba in front of the goal-mouth and earned a red card while also conceding a penalty. Karim Benzema made no mistake as he took the spot kick. His powerful high shot on the goalkeeper’s right was crafted in great style that sent Valladares the wrong way. France went ahead 1-0 and Honduras lost the edge as they had to play with 10 men for the rest of the match.
Within a few minutes of the teams coming back after the breather, France enhanced their lead to 2-0 in a way, never seen in the history of international football. The 26-year-old Benzema produced a volley that struck the post and the French striker appealed for referral by the newly-introduced Goal-Line-Technology. Confusion prevailed for a while before it was proved after multiple video replays that the ball had crossed the goal line after brushing the out-stretched hand of the Honduras goalkeeper. The goal was not credited to Benzema’s account but registered as an own goal per the rule. But that wouldn’t stop the brilliant Benzema from playing the pivotal role in the game as he forced his way several times in the Honduras defense. The Real Madrid striker drew admirable support from Antoine Griezmann, Patrice Evra, Blaise Matuidi, Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Valbuena. The French forward line took advantage of the depleted Honduras side and launched their attack from time to time. In the 63rd minute, Blaise Matuidi nearly scored France’s third goal, when Evra sent him a good pass. Matuidi, however couldn’t control the shot that missed the target narrowly. Meanwhile, Honduras also got a great scoring chance in the 69th minute but Oscar Garcia couldn’t beat the French keeper and captain Hugo Lloris. With less than 20 minutes remaining in the match, Benzema came up with a fantastic goal. After Mathieu Debuchy’s volley was nicely blocked, the ball came to where Benzema was present. The star striker created an almost unstoppable shot that sailed into the goal at an extremely acute angle to make it 3-0 for France and 2 for himself. France now faces Switzerland, who also won their first game against Ecuador.