France went to the
top of Group E after they beat Honduras 3-0 in both side's opening
match of the 2014 World Cup at Porto Alegre tonight. Two goals from
Karim Benzema, and an own goal from Honduras goalkeeper Noel
Valladares guarenteed the French three points.
It wasn't until
the 15th minute that France created their first
opportunity. Mathieu Valbuena who started brightly took a free kick
on the right hand side. Jerry Bengston headed it clear but only as
far as Blaise Matuidi whose shot was brilliantly tipped over the bar
by Noel Valladares.
Les Bleus came
close again in the 23rd minute. Manchester United's
Patrice Evra broke down the left and picked out Antoine Griezmann
with a precise cross. Griezmann's goalbound effort came back off the
crossbar.
The first half's
major talking point occured in the 43rd minute. Paul Pogba
controlled the ball in the penalty area and went down under a
challenge from Wilson Palacois. Referee Sandro Ricci awarded the
penalty and gave the Stoke City player a second yellow card. Karim
Benzema scored from the spot to give Didier Deschamp's side the lead.
France doubled
their lead early in the second half. Yohan Cabaye picked out Karim
Benzema with an excellent crossfield pass. Benzema hit it first time
on the half volley from a narrow angle. The ball hit the post and
came back off Vallarades. Despite the best efforts of the Honduras
goalkeeper to keep it out goal line technology showed that the whole
of the ball crossed the line.
It was almost
three in the 64th minute. Good posession and build up play
ended with Evra picking out Blaise Matuidi. Matuidi struck first time
from six yards out but he could only find the side netting.
Honduras managed
to get their first and only shot on target midway through the second
half. Oscar Boniek Garcia seized on a mistake from Antonio Mabuva.
Boniek got his shot away but there wasn't enough power behind it to
trouble Hugo Lloris.
Benzema got his
second and France's third of the night 18 minutes from time. The ball
broke to him on the right hand side of the area and he hit a
powerful right foot shot which found it's way into the top of the
net.
Benzema would have
got had a hat trick but was denied by the Honduras goalkeeper from
close range. The 1998 champions saw the game out comfortably and they
will seldom have an easier game than this in World Cup football.
France; Hugo
Lloris; Mathieu Debuchy, Raphael Varane, Mamadou Sakho, Patrice Evra;
Blaise Matuidi, Paul Pogba (Moussa Sissoko 56), Mathieu Valbuena
(Olivier Giroud 78), Yohan Cabaye (Antonio Mabuva 65); Antoine
Griezmann, Karim Benzema.
Subs not used; Stephane
Ruffier, Mickael Landreau, Lucas Digne, Barcary Sagna, Laurent
Koscielny, Eliaquim Mangala, Morgan Schneiderlin, Loic Remy, Remy
Cabella.
Booked; Patrice
Evra (7), Paul Pogba (27), Yohan Cabaye (45+2).
Honduras; Noel
Valladares, Brayan Beckeles, Victor Bernardez (Osman Chavez 46),
Maynor Figueroa, Emilio Izaguirre; Andy Nagar (Jorge Claros 58),
Wilson Palacois, Luis Garrido, Roger Espinoza; Jerry Bengston ( Oscar
Boniek Garcia 46), Carlo Costly.
Subs not used; Donis
Escober, Luis Lopez, Juan Carlos Garcia, Juan Pablo Montes, Edder
Delgado, Mario Martinez, Marvin Chavez, Jerry Palacios, Rony
Martinez.
Booked; Wilson
Palacois (27), Boniek Garcia (53).
Sent off; Wilson
Palacois (43).
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