France Vs. Honduras Recap and Highlights: Benzema Blasts Two Goals To Beat Honduras 3-0 [VIDEO]

France's Striker Karim Benzema has the game of his life as he blasts two goals (should have been three), past Honduras goalkeeper, Noel Valladares during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Group E Matchup between France and Honduras.

Pogba's passing and Benzema's striking was too much for the physical and agressive Honduras team to overcome . Multiple yellow cards, one red card, unnecessary fouls and a penalty in the box in the 42nd minute gave France an early lead and left Honduras a man down as Wilson Palacios was sent off with his second yellow card.

The opening "Group of Life" match for France and Honduras started with somewhat of a surprise as Didier Deschamps decided before the game not to start Arsenal forward, Olivier Giroud opposite Benzema to give France two strikers as many thought he would. Giroud would instead come off the bench later in the match.

It was all France for most of the first half of the match as Mathieu Valbuena and Benzema had multiple scoring opportunities for "Les Bleus." Throught the first thirty minutes the theme of the game would be France's immense pressure against the rough and physical defense of Honduras.

Honduras hung tough though as their stingy and often extremely aggressive defense held France in check for the first 40 minutes. If you were watching this game live, you got the feeling that France was consistently knockng on the door and it would only be a matter of time until they broke through.

They did finally break through in the closing minutes of the first half when Honduras' defender, Wilson Palacios was called for his 2nd yellow card of the match after he agressively and unwisely pushed France's midfielder, Paul Pogba in the back just outside the 6 yard box. The move was completely unnecessary as Pogba had a band angle on the play. Palacios was given the boot after his second yellow card turned to red and Honduras was now playing down a goal and down a man, almost insurmountable odds.

The second half started off exactly how the first half ended, with a great strike from the left hand side of the box by Benzema. The ball richoted off the far post and then bounced off unsuspecting Honduras goalie, Noel Valladares. Upon first look in the stadium, it did not appear to be a goal. However after further review by the referees, the goal was granted and giving Benzema what would turn out to be a hat rick. However, moments later the goal was changed from a Benzema’s second goal of the match, to a Noel Valladares own goal. Marking it as the second own goal of the tournament through 10 matches.

It was the first time FIFA's new goal-line replay technology was ever used in World Cup play. The technology is similar to the ATP's replay technology on questionable calls on the lines in tennis. The innaguraul use of the technlogy here however, proved to get the call correct. It is now up to FIFA to further review the goal and decide if the goal should be given to Benzema or stay as an own goal for Valladares. FIFA rule book typially credits goals off of a goalie to the last player who touched the ball. The decision by FIFA on who should get credit for the goal could ultimately prove to be substantial, as it would give Benzema the hat trick, and put him in the lead in the prestigious Golden Boot trophy race for the tournament's top goal scorer. Currently, Brazil's Neymar and Netherland stars, Robben and van Persie are all tied with Benzema with two goals a piece.

Regardless of the final decision on the goal, Benzema oficially netted his second goal of the match in the 71st minute, when he crushed a great ball from a very tight angle on the right hand side of the box. Poor Valladares simply had no chance on the play.

France's Patrice Evra was taken off the field on a stretcher on the play and replaced seconds later.

Olivier Giroud came into the game for Valbuena in the 77th minute and I'm curious to see how he felt after not getting the call to start the match and having to sit on the sidelines while he saw his longtime rival and national teammate, Benzema absolutely dominate the match.

For Benzema, as of now he has eight goals in his past seven appearances for France.

Game Notes:
Honduras has now failed to score for the fifth consecutive game and in over 435 minutes of World Cup action. They last time "Los Catrachos" scored was in 1982. If the own goal stands, it will tie France for the leading country to benefit from own goals in World Cup History. With the win, France has won it's first World Cup match since 2006, and first opening match since hoisting the cup in 1998.