France v Honduras Match of the Day

Hello and welcome to our World Cup replay. We are showing you the 1998

champions France taking on Honduras in their opening group game.

COMMENTATOR: What will we expect to happen at this World Cup? What can

we hope from the French side tonight? France has not scored in

their opening match since winning the trophy in 1998.

It's a completely different sort of France here, led by Lloris,

Beckeles was sent off in the England game.

Bernardez's nickname is the Nightmare.

Unity is back to the acrimonious dressing room.

There's Louis Fernandez Suarez, the Honduran coach.

Dangerous to underestimate anyone at these World Cup finals

There's young Griezmann of Real Sociedad, only his fifth cap

Benzema, 21 goals, six in six since he went over 1000

And the referee has been a FIFA official since 2011.

Schneiderlin had a wonderful season with Southampton and Palacios, the

You 'll remember, they had three brothers go to

I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Cabaye in midfield.

We'll have to wait for the referee to get

France, kicking from left to right in the first half.

We've had no announcements of the teams or the anthems.

I can only imagine the tannoy system has broken down.

It comes out towards Palacios in the penalty area.

You can see straight away Honduras will leave Costly at the front.

Others grab a headlines, Matuidi does a lot of the work.

Nothing wrong with conditions here for football.

Almost a perfect touch there from Benzema.

A lovely cushion touch with his chest.

It's a real feature of the way the French are willing to play now.

His first name is on the back of his shirt.

In towards Espinoza, with the long hair.

The French slogan for this World Cup is "Impossible is not French",

It's written on the side of the players' coach.

And they are absolutely determined to put the wrongs

Has Benzema filled out a bit more over the last 12 months?

He is certainly stronger than he was in the build-up to Africa

Yes, he's been doing extra training with his team-mate

The wingers come in and get on the ball an awful lot.

Benzema not picked for the World Cup 2010.

Only a few goals in qualifying for this.

France will have to watch for those long balls played to

Sakho was ball watching a little bit.

He's in this team ahead of Koscielny because

He was captain for Paris Saint-Germain when he was just 17.

He's a real leader of men but I'm not sure he is the most gifted

He was pressurising on the ground there.

Sakho had a nightmare end to the season with Liverpool, of course, in

Espinoza trying to force it through, the Wigan man.

A very good season on the left-hand side for Celtic.

Pogba, Europe's Young Player of the Year.

They say he's often away from Marseille, this summer.

He's been a terrific player for them.

The first chance of the game for France.

Evra deceived, conceding the free kick.

It's not good to see the imaginary yellow cards brandished, but you can

I think Evra has underestimated his pace and come off second best there.

He flapped at that little bit, the keeper.

This kid they brought on, Najar, he was smuggled into Virginia aged

The French are playing very high with their full-backs.

Just filling in at the moment for Evra.

He is the springboard for these attacks.

Is he waving goodbye to St James' Park next season?

The movement is causing the problems.

He has been an ever present under Didier Deschamps.

Valbuena's free kick. Paul Pogba is in an offside position. Back to 70

macro. Bat-macro Horst-Dieter Hottges. That Karim Benzema. A free

kick to France. A smile on the face of Nobby Stiles. -- Maynor Figueroa.

Good solid punch from the goalkeeper.

Audiences here and spectators are used to it.

You would expect him to go with that Let's join

Bengtson, dangerous in the air, but does not score that many.

His treatment of Neymar was shameful.

There was a moment where they kept the ball and were looking OK

suddenly, they lose their concentration and give it away.

You don't want to give it away games this French team because already you

Palacios would be advised to move away.

He can't have any complaints about that.

He won't be happy, Martin, because it seemed it was his

He will see at a different way, of course.

Sakho with his back towards the free kick.

France with their first goal of the game.

Chance for Honduras to draw breath in this match.

The French are really taking it to them and showing athleticism

One goal in open play in the last six games of the World Cup.

The referee just having a look at him.

Great on the finish, it's a great save from the keeper.

First of all, an appeal for a challenge by Benzema.

Whether he's gone down feeling he might have got

They are really being worked by the French in the early stages

It would have been a real blow for him because he's

All the neutrals here are behind Honduras. Karim Benzema. Away from

Andy Najar. He gets it away. He had such a good club season. Brayan

Beckeles is there. All the football is coming from France. Lovely turn

from Paul Pogba. If France can get one, there will be no way back for

Honduras. He did well. Paul Pogba is trying to open up space. Pushing an

against Roger Espinoza. -- pushing on. A throw in and relief for

Honduras. Fernandez is there, a vital header.

They are all comfortable in possession.

Mathieu Valbuena. Drive and determination and danger, into Karim

Benzema. It is out to Yohan Cabaye! He should be hitting the target, but

he is a long way out. Great little parser and mover.

It is a long way out. Here he is. Just scuffs the shot wide. He scored

in Euro 2012. Paul Pogba. A nice balance to their play. This

is when they need to win. Patrice Evra with the cross. It hits the

bar. It is punched -- Brayan Beckeles gets it away. Mathieu

Debuchy is on it. Honduras are somehow just hanging on in there. He

did everything right, just could not get over it enough. This time at

Mathieu Debuchy and France are unhappy that the free kick has been

given. He gets a decent cross then, Karim

Benzema getting it away from his marker. That would have been goal of

the tournament. Fantastic. Mathieu Valbuena was waiting. Just cannot

get over it. Played for Montpellier youth

when he was stopped in a trial for SSG by Real Sociedad

and the Spanish side signed him. The Manchester United fans saw him

in action, home and away. Accurate short

and long range passes. And he'd have to go,

the referee's seen it, he reacted. The Honduran bench are up,

they are surrounding the referee. But he's already got his cards

in his hands. There's a touch

of Beckham here against Argentina When a young man with great skill,

has reacted poorly. That looks just

like a yellow to me only. The referee with his first big

decision of the World Cup to make. Well, listen, he's very,

very professional. He's had another nibble at him

and the wrung man's had enough. He's standing all over him

and he kicks out at him. I hope while he catches him with

the training leg, the referee sees I certainly think that Palacios

should be booked for one, two, maybe three, but strictly sticking to

the guidelines for referees, he'll Looks like it's going

to be another yellow. I sincerely hope that's what it is,

rather than a red. I think he's overreacted as well,

by the way. Seen it a couple of times so far

in the tournament. In a moment you can lose

a top player, just shows you. People have monitored his career,

he was captain of the French World Cup side and it would

have been a disappointment for He's going to have to kerb that

temperament. Yes, players like that emerging

into the game, we don't want the see them go out of the

competition for something so silly. They have just been starved

of any real possession. They'll be pleased that they are

still in the game at this stage. There's the coach,

Louis Fernandez Suarez. He was manager of Ecuador when

they played England in Germany. Just being really critical

about central defenders. Expect better

from a top professional. Central defenders for France,

you have so much of the ball, you have to make sure you do your job

correctly when you are involved. Since they won the trophy in 1998,

France failed to score in all three World Cup opening games

they have played. They try to exorcise the ghosts of

the Senegal defeat, the draw against Switzerland and Uruguay, goalless

in previous World Cup campaigns. They have travelled in numbers

to the southern part of Brazil. Tickets here costing between ?8

for OAPs and students, up to ?19. The minimum monthly salary in Brazil

is ?192. If you want a top seat here, you're

talking half a month's salary. This is one

of the stadia finished very late. The ?3 billion total stadium

built for these World Cup finals. 13 billion spent on the finals

which could take care of the Brazil This stadium will be used,

by the way, the two massive grounds in Porto

Alegre, will both draw big crowds but they will fill these arenas

and they will be used properly. That's good, because you don't want

all this money spent on stadia and And around the city this morning,

people are selling bags It seems to have lost

a little bit of tempo, doesn't it? You can't let Espinoza get anywhere

near the French penalty area. He got a fantastic goal

against Israel the other week. The left-back is really

being pushed back. Well won

by the ever industrious Matuidi. It seems every tackle they make is

followed by a hit to the back I don't think he realised what

a good opportunity that was. Anticipation swelling around

the ground when Najar gets it. It might have been pulled back

by Espinoza. Sakho made his debut against England

a few years ago. Yes, it was a diagonal ball

in behind the full-backs. That's maybe where the French are

a little vulnerable. And they have been vulnerable

in major finals. The Euro 2008, World Cup, 2012,

they just one one of ten matches A point in this game for Honduras

would be seen as a triumph at home. The football team is the soul

of the country, says Espinoza. France attacking

on the opposite side to Espinoza. The quality of Griezmann,

the way he works it from one foot to They are difficult to beat,

Honduras. They've never beaten a European

team in the World Cup finals. Still looking for their first

ever victory in the finals. They are holding on here

against France. Very close to the defender,

but no foul. Looking at the quality

of his turn and awareness. Physically,

he's like Zidane going down. He's a big man but can float

so delicately. He is a figurehead, though they look

to him give them their first goal. Certainly they will need

a goal to settle them down. That's the only thing missing

from their play. 24 goals for his club this season,

Benzema. He has hit 20 goals or more,

six in the last seven seasons and there are still questions

about him at this level. Back to the Paris Saint-Germain

player. A lovely touch by such a big man,

Benzema. A lovely subtle touch, though,

from the French centre-forward. You wonder

if they lack a little bit of pace. They certainly haven't got the pace

of Thierry Henry out there tonight. Sloppy again, Honduras. Palacios

showing that he can still play. He is doing a lot of work in mid field.

He had injury concerns, I think he has only played once fought 90

minutes this season. Mathieu Valbuena is across their, soul two,

Kenneth Smith. Five minutes to go in the first half. Mathieu Debuchy

polls in back. Maynor Figueroa has gone down. France are on the attack.

Kenneth Smith! -- -- Karim Benzema. He collapsed under him. How on earth

did he get out of there? Once Mathieu Debuchy gets into that

position, it is the best thing he has done.

He is a big man, Victor Bernardez, he is 13 stone. He will retire after

this World Cup. There were lots of options there. He

should be picking out someone there. As little bit more composure.

Honduras are defending at the moment with ten men. Victor Bernardez is

receiving treatment. A corner. The referee wants a word with the Real

Madrid striker. Jorge Claros. referee wants a word with the Real

have runners in their --. There was a push. Red card! It is Palacios!

Palacios with the Polish and booked for the original fracas with Paul

Pogba. -- push. Wilson Palacios is sent off two minutes before the

half-time whistle. This is the ball in from Yohan Cabaye, it is a great

pass. He has overdone it, one foul too many. Pol Pot but we'll take it

down and put it in the back of the net. -- Paul Pogba. He will not get

more football. Palacios sent off. He has worked hard, but he has been

careering around so much. He has had to make the fouls because France

have been so dominant. The ball is under the arm of Karim Benzema. The

Honduras players look reluctant to get out of the way. Maynor Figueroa

is there. It is Karim Benzema. Had to wait a long time to take

this. Will that upset his concentration? France, by now,

should be a head in Porto Alegre in their World Cup opener. -- ahead.

And they are. The last minute of the first half. They get there. Just

rewards and France lead Honduras by a goal to nil. Nothing more than

they deserve. The referee left that for an age. Karim Benzema showed all

his nerve. It was a piece of cake for him. That was emphatic. He

thumps it in. He was distressed by his performance

in Euro 12 -- 2012, but he has delighted his manager today. No

substitute for quality, and he certainly has it in abundance. It

will be even more difficult now for Honduras. They have three more

minutes of stoppage time in this first half. Here comes Roger

Espinoza. He was fouled by a Mathieu Valbuena. We know he can play. He is

defending the whole time. Honduras only have themselves to blame, they

are outnumbered in midfield. France are down to ten men, it will be

impossible for them. Their next game is against Ecuador

on Friday. France will play Switzerland next on

Friday in Salvador. A yellow card for Yohan Cabaye. He is not

frightened to book people, they will have to be careful. You do not want

unnecessary bookings. Porto Alegre is the birthplace of Ronaldinho.

A lovely ball for words to Blaise Matuidi. -- forwards. France should

witness comfortably. A late challenge there. -- should win

this. They look strong down that left-hand side, Patrice Evra

combining the challenge. There is Blaise Matuidi. Nobody got into the

box quick enough, that is something they will be looking at. I would not

be surprised if we see another red card in this game. It may well be

Victor Bernardez, because he has been rash in his challenges. A free

kick to France. Mathieu Valbuena. Paul Pogba is there. The goalkeeper

got it away. Only just! Half-time. A great save. Look at the whip Mathieu

Valbuena gets on that. A great save. Karim Benzema was not to be denied

in the penalty spot. Palacios was red carded. It has been all France.

They are winning 1-0. Honduras have made two substitutes. Oscar Garcia

is on for Jerry Bengtson. Victor Bernardez, we saw him pick up a knee

injury, he has been replaced by Osman Chavez who has just been out

with a knee injury himself. He is a left-back or centre-back and has

come on as a centre-back. Damage limitation for Honduras. France are

attacking to the left and immediately Mathieu Valbuena is on

the ground thanks to add challenged by a Brayan Beckeles. He was sent

off against England in their Miami game. I do not think the referee saw

it. There has been an off a lot of those physical challenges and we

expect more of that. -- an awful lot. Sometimes it can be more

difficult to play against ten men. France are so dominant, you can only

think that there will be more goals in the second half. Andy Najar has

gone to the left and Roger Espinoza is now playing more centrally.

gone to the left and Roger Espinoza side. Cleared by Honduras, all in

white who did so well in qualifying to finish third behind the USA. It

is crossed for Karim Benzema and somehow it stayed out. Goalline

technology has ruled it in. It has gone in! The assistant referee

looked back up the far touchline and the referee got a signal and France

lead by a two goals. A great finish! It whipped across the box.

Such pace on it. We are waiting now for the technology. It comes back

off, it is an own goal! We have to trust the technology. From that

angle, and by the naked eye, it does not look like it. It signals no

goal! Noel goal is on the screen! The fans have heard Ed -- Noel goal.

All goodness me, they had changed their minds! -- No goal!. It has

definitely gone over the line. Which replay are we supposed to believe?

This was supposed to be a flawless system. Didier Deschamps is

perplexed. It is not used in the Premier League. France will expect

their second goal, the referee cannot give it if there are any

doubts. It says the ball was over the line in the first -- in the

second instance, but not in the first, the ball is still in play, it

is still a goal. There is the ball whip thin, Karim Benzema is on the

end of it and it hits the post, it comes back, it is not over the line,

but now it is. The bat-macro they are seen at the replays on this

giant screens on the -- in the stadium -- they are seeing. You may

have thought there was controversy in the Brazil game, this is the

biggest moment. Didier Deschamps is baffled. France are leading two

goals to nil. To say there was no goal and then our goal, that will

cause confusion. -- a goal. The Germans have moaned

for generations that the 1966 goal Goalline technology provided

by a German-based manufacturer. It was used in the

Confederations Cup last summer. Officially,

it came after 48 minutes. Free kick for France on the edge

of the box. Well, Figueroa knows he can't

get anywhere near that goal. The whole goalline technology debate

will flare up again because... One moment we were seeing

the goal given by the assistant referee and then we

saw it was not over the line, in the replay, and then, we saw it was over

the line with the second replay. Imagine if this was Argentina

against Brazil in the World Cup Just as well is happening

in a group game and we can make it We tried to get here in the ground

a reason why there was no national anthems. The official said it was

a breakdown in a tannoy system. Free kick will be taken by one

of the substitutes, Chavez. So difficult

for Honduras with ten men. We've not seen a lot of Griezmann

but, whatever he has done has been He's only a young player

but he's got a good future. He smashed into somebody

early on and now it's a booking. I heard Robbie Savage backing up

what you thought It has officially been given

as an own goal. The keeper has taken it over

the line. Another French player lying

on the floor. I wonder how long it is

before Didier Deschamps decides to take one or two of these

off with bigger games coming up? He's on a yellow card and so, too,

is Cabaye. Griezmann again, his intelligence,

quality. Valladares, outstanding in the goal

for Honduras, keeping France at bay, Really good approach football

by France. No finish,

but it was lovely to watch. Great technique on that and in the

end, great save from the keeper. Sissoko, another connection to

the Premier League with Newcastle. Honduras are going to make

a final substitution. He's had to do his fair share

of defending. Najar never really been able to get

on the ball and is going to go off. The referee telling him

to calm down. I think he was

the player that kicked the ball at one of the England players

when he was on the ground in Miami. I wonder if we'll see a replay

on that one. Let me try and explain,

some of the incidents haven't been replayed as you are used to seeing

them back home. This is the thing

about damage limitation. I think the French want

this game over really. It's been expensive with

the bookings. All the supporters you see

in blue will be for France. We've got Australians here,

I can tell you, supporting... They were split in our hotel

this morning, Honduras and France. I think Sagna is

a better player with more quality. Slanted loosely through

the box initially by Chavez. His days

as an international footballer Virtually playing like a winger

throughout the whole of this match, They have a nice way that

they play lots of options. The French movement started

with Cabaye in his position. Chavez obviously has a lot

of confidence in him, rightly so. He's got great vision,

he enjoys having the ball. The two central

defenders split nicely. Benzema ahead of all of that

will finish things off for you. There'll be reaction no doubt

and much debate over the second There'll be talk about whether

there was an injustice done. Everything that we talked

about came into action here. We were in a restaurant watching

the England game last night. When the shot went in from Sterling

I jumped up and I was told I had to The Brazilians weren't

as keen to see the English match We were supporting loud and proud,

I can tell you. For Cabaye who picked up

a booking earlier on. He's the play-maker,

everything's gone through him. He'll be satisfied with

his night's work. I wonder if he's had a bit

of a knock there. They were certainly talking

about something. Osman Chavez is there. Maynor Figueroa.

Emilio Izaguirre, Roger Espinoza thought he was bowl. -- fouls.

Moussa Sissoko. They are moving quickly. Moussa Sissoko is trying to

pick someone out. Mathieu Valbuena with it. It goes out towards Antoine

Griezmann. The Honduras were calling for the free kick before the referee

blew his whistle. He has got real quality. Yohan Cabaye has some ice

on his groin. That will be a concern.

He was replaced in the game against Jamaica by Rio Mavuba. It is Moussa

Sissoko. Mathieu Valbuena looks for Karim Benzema. It is out to Maynor

Figueroa. Out towards Roger Espinoza.

Mamadou Sakho caught in possession, could be costly. Back to Garcia, he

is in here. The shot nearly beat the goalkeeper. France on the

counterattack. Maynor Figueroa got it away behind Osman Chavez, he

thought he was fouled. It is so physical. Mamadou Sakho switches off

for a moment, he will be punished. Mathieu Valbuena, so talented.

Across from Blaise Matuidi. I think that was a penalty. -- a cross.

Perhaps it was an honest challenge. It was Maynor Figueroa and Patrice

Evra. No, good honest challenge. Patrice Evra does well to get out of

the way of it. If anything, it should have been a free kick the

other way. France have always been the much

better side. 100%, they had to be professional, see it through. Get

some confidence going with their goals, good performances all around.

When you look at the near goals, good performances all around.

of the Dutch performance against Spain and Brazil, Argentina to come,

Italy who did well against England, Germany, we have yet to see them, it

is going to be very difficult for France to go all the way. It will be

difficult, but they are demonstrating that French football

is on the way back. They are a little bit rough in places. Here is

Mathieu Valbuena. A clumsy challenge. A really bad challenged

by Maynor Figueroa. Really bad. This is a worry, you do not want to lose

a player who has been a quality player throughout the match. It is

cynical, he takes him out. He is tired, he has had enough, he has

taken a chunk out of him. Let us I do not think he got a card out. I

think he has run out of cards! That is amazing, really. He could have

damaged Mathieu Valbuena seriously. A free kick for France. Pulls a

back, Mathieu Debuchy thundered it in. They have a third! Absolutely

ripped into the net. Beautiful finish from Karim Benzema. I love

seeing him do that. Beautiful. Clean strike. A man at the top of his

game. This was some initial drive from Mathieu Debuchy. Then he picked

his spot. The initial shot, good first touch, creates the angle and

hammers it away. Just a concern that Patrice Evra is down. The keeper

nearly gets to that. He will want to see the second goal a game now,

Karim Benzema. Patrice Evra now. I am pretty sure at the shot hit him,

but he seemed to twist away from the challenge and go down before the

effort from Mathieu Debuchy cavemen. For all the good work tonight, they

will not want to lose Patrice Evra -- went in.

There is no need to put him back out there. We will watch that with

interest. Confirmation there. We will watch that with

from Karim Benzema and the own goal. Honduras have barely had a sniff of

a chance. Patrice Evra is back on his feet off screen.

I think the referee thinks he is not coming back. He is still waiting to

come onto the pitch. Roger Espinoza. Luis Garrido, the youngster. Roger

Espinoza. He is taking a chance. Not even creating a slip of a chance by

a Brayan Beckeles. Here is the goal. Look at that! Glorious finish.

Karim Benzema is having some 12 months.

His depressing goal drought ended against Australia and he has

continued to bind them in when he has been playing. Mathieu Valbuena

has been excellent. The manager deserves credit. He believes in

Karim Benzema. Everything is good for him. Rio Mavuba scoops it wide.

France get a corner. It is their seventh corner of the game. The

Hondurans coach looks on. His team knew they would be up against it --

Honduran. You do not want to be down to ten men against rampant French

team. Is there anything left for Honduras?

Carlo Costly, the lone frontrunner. He has lacked pace for a couple of

years. Here is dirty four. -- Olivier Giroud.

He has had a terrific game, Mathieu Valbuena. Olivier Giroud will see

himself as an lucky, a lot of people thought he would play tonight. -- an

lucky. -- unlucky. He played very well against Jamaica,

Olivier Giroud. Karim Benzema. It is dusk in

Brazil. The night cannot come quick enough for Honduras, they are trying

to play decent possession football. They have started trying to play, it

is a little bit late for that. Luis Garrido. Mamadou Sakho does not need

to do that, he can let it run with greater awareness. -- back to his

keeper with great awareness. Carlo Costly. A thrill to France. --

parole. -- throw. Patrice Evra. Still on, still

hungry, 33 years old, looking for Olivier Giroud.

He really gets a shelf. Olivier Giroud is a big man. I saw our sin

in Bangor. -- Arsene Wenger. Maynor Figueroa. Dearing wide. Roger

Espinoza is there with him. -- moving wide.

Did so well in qualifying. inside him.

To win in Mexico, it's some feat, that.

A sobering opening for Honduras today.

I can't remember Griezmann wasting a ball.

He's not had many caps for his country

but he certainly taken advantage of this opportunity is tonight.

He's only had cameo roles really for France's opening four

It's like the referee has turned a blind eye since the sending-off.

He's picking his leg up at the moment.

There seems to be a card brandished, surely.

I know Honduras is a proud nation but France have been

It's being played at walking pace, at the moment.

Garcia just manages to get in the way there.

Otherwise it would have been another one.

They've answered a few questions tonight.

A lean spell in front of goal late on in the seaon for Real Madrid.

Two years in the English Premiership, nice

He's got to protect himself but for me,

You can't be sure who you are going

Now, one of the Hondurans goes down in the box.

The referee was totally unimpressed by the flop from Costly.

Matuidi covers so much ground in a game.

Mavuba has been so steady for Lille this season.

Sakho, this season, could've been a bit better.

Free kick for the challenge on Giroud.

The referee blown before the free kick was taken because he wants

No one's standing on Giroud at the moment.

It's a delight to see that kind of football.

A couple minutes more plus stoppage time.

Benzema, whose shot was pushed into his own net.

The French have the confidence to just whizz the ball around.

Confidence is really high now in the group.

They have got more and more confident.

Their nation fell in love with the World Cup after a gradual start.

Seemed to pick up maybe a recurrence of an injury.

Lloris has had virtually nothing to do.

After the sending off, before that they were dominating.

It's just been a piece of cake for them really.

He's done a shift, hasn't he, Figueroa?

We thought they would sacrifice a forward at half-time,

They have got other games in mind, maybe.

They went down to ten men, but the alarm bells were ringing

Nodding in acceptance that perhaps there were better options.

I would like to see better quality from his finishing there.

Honduras have been the authors of their own misfortune.

Gary Lineker referred to Platini, saying he was a manager born with

He said, I wonder if he was dropped in a church font when he was born.

at the right times and you can't question him tonight.

He didn't go with him. of people would have been thinking

Griezmann's not played much football, but you can see

the way the French are going to go now, total football once more.

163 games as Marseille manager, he only used 44 players.

He had success with Marseille, but he's settled now.

The referee puts Honduras out of their misery.

Two for Benzema, who saw his shot bounce off the post and chucked in.

There was a bit of confusion on the goal-line technology.