Karim Benzema's France beat Honduras 3-0 in Group E in a game that featured the first goal-line technology awarded goal, and a woeful evening of rough-house fouls from the Central Americans.
Benzema converted a penalty just on the stroke of half-time, but more interestingly three minutes after the restart his angled shot came back off the post and hit
'keeper Noel Vallardes, who scooped the ball off the line. The referee Sandro Ricci awarded an own goal however after consulting the technology, a first in a World Cup.
Benzema completed the action, blasting the ball into the roof of the net from six yards out on 72 min.
Wilson Palacios was sent off for a second yellow in a game which featured eight, due to the poor attitude of Honduras.
No national anthems before match
The Group E clash between France and Honduras got off to a bizarre start as the national anthems for both sides were not played before kick-off.
Both teams lined up for the anthems as usual but were then instructed by the referee to go through the protocol of shaking hands when no music for the anthems began.
The players then had to wait for several minutes till the game could start at the scheduled 4:00pm (1900 GMT) kick-off time.
A FIFA spokesman was unable to immediately give an explanation as to why the anthems hadn't been played.
France get first World Cup technology goal
France earned the first goal-line technology goal at a World Cup finals in controversial circumstances.
Karim Benzema's shot came back off the post and bounced off Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares and towards the goal.
Valladares scooped the ball back, but Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci awarded the goal after consulting the goal-line technology system in operation.
Valladares was given an own goal on the scoresheet.
