PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil — Karim Benzema scored twice and created a third that was confirmed by goal-line technology as France beat Honduras 3-0 Sunday in its first World Cup match.

The dominant win was a relief for France, whose team of highly paid players failed to win in South Africa and was sent home in a disgrace after going on a training strike.

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

France dominated the match from the opening whistle, despite a series of scrappy tackles by the Honduran team seeking its first World Cup win.

Benzema’s first goal came from the penalty spot just before halftime after Wilson Palacios was sent off with his second yellow card for charging into the back of Paul Pogba. The Real Madrid striker calmly slotted the ball to the left of Noel Valladares to give Les Bleus a deserved lead going into the break.

With Honduras down to 10 men, France continued to dominate and Benzema created the second goal in the 48th minute – the first to be confirmed by goal-line technology at the World Cup.

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Benzema latched onto a long ball by Yohan Cabaye and his shot hit the post and came back across goal before Valladares fumbled it over his own line. With the new technology system confirming the ball crossed the line, referee Sandro Ricci gave the own goal despite Honduran protests.

Benzema scored his second in the 72nd, firing in powerfully from inside the area after a long range shot by right back Mathieu Debuchy was blocked.

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

French keeper Hugo Lloris didn’t have to touch the ball until the 31st minute and didn’t have to make a save.

SWITZERLAND 2, ECUADOR 1: A goal deep in stoppage-time by Haris Seferovic gave Switzerland a dramatic victory over Ecuador in their Group E opener in Brasilia.

A low-quality match looked destined to end in a draw until substitute Seferovic fired home the winner from close range in the last of three minutes of injury time. Ecuador barely had time to restart before the final whistle was blown.

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Enner Valencia had given Ecuador the lead in the 22nd minute at Estadio Nacional in the Brazilian capital. That came after abject defending and Switzerland’s equalizer in the 48th was in the same vein, Admir Mehmedi – another substitute – heading home from close range.

It was the fifth time in nine matches so far at this World Cup that a team had come from behind to win.

ARGENTINA 2, BOSNIA 1: Lionel Messi scored a stunning second-half goal to push staggering Argentina over Bosnia in the Group F opener for both teams in Rio de Janeiro.

Messi lifted Argentina in the 65th minute, moving in from the right and striking a low left-footed shot off the inside of the post behind Bosnian keeper Asmir Begovic. It was Messi’s second World Cup goal, adding to one he scored eight years ago in Germany.

Vedad Ibisevic scored a close-in goal in the 85th to give Bosnia hope.

Argentina took a 1-0 lead in the third minute on an own-goal by defender Sead Kolasinac.


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