Karim Benzema struck twice and forced an own goal from the goalkeeper as France brushed 10-man Honduras aside.
Goal line technology was used for the first time in the World Cup Finals as France began their campaign
with a dominant win over 10-man Honduras.
The moment of doubt happened in the 48th minute after Keeper Noel Varradares appeared to have saved
Benzema’s volley from crossing the goal line,
Benzema gave France the lead from the penalty spot just prior to the break, with Palacios shown a second yellow card after barging into Paul Pogba, and the 10-men of Honduras fell further behind early in the second half.
After a short delay, goal-line technology confirmed goalkeeper Noel Valladares had fumbled Benzema’s effort over the line, and theFrench striker added his second of the night and the third for france 18 minutes from time with a powerfully struck shot from a tight angle
as the French got their first points on the board in Brazil.
Both sides struggled to build momentum early on, although Mathieu Valbuena and Antoine Griezmann were among the livelier French players in the opening 10 minutes.
Valbuena in particular was a danger and his delivery led to France’s first chance 14 minutes in Blaise Matuidi seeing his effort from inside the area tipped onto and over the crossbar by Valladares.
From there, France dominated play and Griezmann was next to go close with a header that hit the woodwork.
Tempers flared shortly before the half-hour mark when Pogba and Palacios were involved in a heated exchange after some tenacious tackling from the Stoke City man.
Pogba kicked out at the Honduran from on the ground and was perhaps lucky to escape with only a yellow card, while Palacios was also booked for the initial challenge.