FIFA World Cup 2014, Highlights: Karim Benzema Scores Twice as France Beat Honduras 3-0
Karim Benzema scored twice as France defeated a 10-man but spirited Honduras 3-0 in their FIFA World Cup opener in Porto Alegre. Catch all the highlights from the Group E encounter here.
- Rajarshi Gupta
- Updated: June 16, 2014 02:28 AM IST
France defeated Honduras 3-0 in their Group E match in the FIFA World Cup. Catch all the highlights here.
2:22 IST: That's the final whistle. France have won 3-0,thanks to Karim Benzema's two goals. Honduras were reduced to 10 men on the field but they put up a spirited fight. However, that was not enough as the 1998 world champions were too strong and capitalised on most chances.
2:10 IST:With less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining, France are assured of an opening victory, for the first time since 1998, when they went on to win the tournament.
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2:06 IST:About four minutes of normal time left. This game has been one of the most controversial in this World Cup so far. A red card, a few yellows and then the goal-line technology created a few flutters. The French and Honduran coaches were seen involved in a heated exchange even as the replays kept playing in the first use of what could be a disputed technology.
2:01 IST: GOAL!Benzema has been on fire and he now scores his second goal of the game as France go 3-0 up. Honduras are well and truly out of the competition here. What a moment!
1:57 IST: Boniek Garcia controlled the ball well and penetrated the French defence in the 68th minute only to be thwarted by a great save by goalkeeper Lloris. It will take a huge effort from the 10-man Honduras team to keep France at bay now. The French are attacking from all corners.
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1:38 IST: GOAL!Valladares scores an own goal as France go 2-0 up. The goal-line technology came to be used for the first time ever after Benzema's kick bounced back off the post. However, Honduras goalkeeper Valladares failed to hold on to the rebound as the 1998 champions opened up their lead.
1:18 IST:Half-time and it's France 1 - Honduras 0. It was an eventful first half with players from both sides bagging a few yellow cards. It was all evens before Wilson Palacios got his second yellow and was red carded for a foul inside Honduras' box. Karim Benzema converted the penalty as France edged ahead.
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1:14 IST: RED CARD to Wilson Palacios after he picked up his second yellow. Honduras are one man short here. France get a penalty and Karim Benzema scores; his seventh goal in his last seven internationals. France are 1-0 ahead with minutes to go for the first whistle.
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00:58 IST:Wilson Palacios of Honduras and Pogba of France are booked with yellow cards after a nasty tackle in the 28th minute. This game has been too rough for the referee's liking and he has not been shy to whip the yellow cards.
00:55 IST:Honduras have been living a charmed life. First Debuchy missed from close quarters before another Benzema header went just over the bar as France continued their desperate search for a goal.
00:49 IST:19 minutes gone in the first half and Honduras are feeling the heat of France's sustained attack on their goal. It's still 0-0 but something could give way soon.
00:44 IST:Emilio Izaguirre commits a foul in the 14th minute and France get their third free kick of the match but they are still unable to score.
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00:39 IST:Wilson Palacios commits a foul in the ninth minute and the referee awards a free kick to France, who are unable to score their opener despite an interesting tactical move, where everyone moved forward except Karim Benzema, who just headed the ball unsuccessfully.
00:37 IST:That was a little too aggressive from Patrice Evra as he tried to wrestle the ball too aggressively from the Honduras player and he gets a yellow card in the seventh minute.
00:36 IST:Honduras are the underdogs and they have the crowd rooting for them. To their credit, Honduras have been aggressive and competitive against the French.
00:30 IST:After a short delay, play gets underway. However, rather unfortunately, the teams did not line up for their national anthems.
00:00 IST: So France are 30 minutes away from their 2014 FIFA World Cup opener. They will be without the experienced Franck Ribery, who was ruled out after sustaining a back injury. However, with a lot to prove, the French will be eager to get off to a good start against an aggressive Honduras.
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