FIFA World Cup 2014, Group E – Benzema’s twin strike gives France easy 3-0 win over Honduras

France had a comfortable 3-0 victory over Honduras in Porto Alegre, two goals from Realmadrid centre forward Karim Benzema (10) and an own goal — following a shot by Benzema — that was rolled in the goal by the Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares.
Just before the break, Benzema opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 44th minute after Pogba was brought down by W. Palacios in the penalty box and received second yellow card .

Within three minutes of the restart, France doubled their advantage when Benzema’s wicked close-range shot from the left rebounded off the right post and hit Valladares’s hand as he tried to scoop the ball off the line. Benzema added a third goal in the 72nd minute with another shot from an acute angle into the top corner , this time from the right side.

France coach Didier Deschamps said “Winning 3-0 at a World Cup isn’t easy . (The players should) savor the moment, there’s nothing more wonderful.”

Realmadrid centre forward Karim Benzema said ”It’s my first World Cup and I think we’re all satisfied with the result. It was important to win this match.”

Luis Fernando Suárez, the Honduras manager, said that Palasios “made a mistake” but he insisted that his players were not guilty of being too aggressive. We didn’t cross the line. We have a strong, intense style but we always respect the rules of the game. If at some point we don’t, then the referee has to take a decision and give us a red card. And we have to accept the consequences.”

 

Match stats –
France: Loris, Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra, Pogba(sub: Sissoko), Cabaye(sub:Mavuba), Matudi,Valbuena, Benzema(sub: Giroud)
Honduras: Valladares, Beckeles, Bernardez(sub:Chavez), Figueroa, Izaguirre, Najar(sub:Claros), Garrido, Palacios, Espinoza, Bengtson(sub:Garcia), Costly
Goal: K. Benzema 45’(p) , 72’ , N. Valladares 48’(o.g)