Porto Alegre (Brazil), June 16: France beat 10-man Honduras 3-0 in a bruising World Cup clash on Sunday where goal-line technology awarded the first international goal in history.

Three minutes into the second period, the German-manufactured GoalControl system was called into action when a volley from Karim Benzema, who ended the night with two goals, came back off the post. The ball bounced back into the area before hitting Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares. He then tried to scoop the ball to safety, but Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci awarded the goal -- classed as an own-goal -- after consulting the instant technology.

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Benzema was the star man as he opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Wilson Palacios had been sent-off for two bookable offences on Paul Pogba. Benzema then played a major role in his side's historic second goal and the Real Madrid striker rounded off a fine afternoon with an emphatic finish 18 minutes from time.

The goal-line technology awarded the 1st international goal in this match

The victory moved Didier Deschamps' men above Switzerland on goal difference in Group E after the Swiss beat Ecuador 2-1 earlier in the day with the two European sides set to meet next on Friday in Salvador.

The game had begun in bizarre circumstances as neither sides' national anthem was sung before kick-off, but normality was restored once proceedings got underway as France dominated from the off. Blaise Matuidi had the first clear chance on 15 minutes when Mathieu Valbuena's free-kick was only partially cleared and the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder's effort was brilliantly turned onto the bar by Valladares.

Antoine Griezmann was then also denied by the crossbar for Les Bleus as he rose highest to meet Patrice Evra's cross but his header clipped the woodwork on its way over.

AFP