France coach Didier Deschamps congratulated his side for a comprehensive victory over Honduras in their World Cup opener at Porto Alegre.
Les Bleus comfortably outplayed their Group E opponents, who seemed more intent on executing a series of rash tackles than anything else, and walked away with a deserved 3-0 win.
Karim Benzema scored twice as well as seeing his shot canon off the frame of the goal before being spilled over the line for an own-goal by Noel Valladares.
Honduras saw their crossbar struck twice but had somehow managed to maintain the deadlock until Wilson Palacios barged Paul Pogba in the box, conceding a penalty and being sent off for a second yellow card.
Deschamps was a contented man at the end of the match, telling TF1: "This is a very good start. We've had good times during our preparation, but this is competition. Winning today is a very good start.
"We will enjoy this victory... 3-0 win in the World Cup, because it's never easy. We have been patient. We had our chance and hit the bar twice in the first period.
"We did well. Pleasure is total in football when there is victory.
"Congratulations to the players."
Benzema, making his World Cup bow after missing the cut in 2010, was in high spirits having shot his side to victory.
Much is expected of the Real Madrid hitman and he was pleased to have delivered.
"I had in mind to play a good game, win, while also trying to play my football without pressure. I did tonight," he said.
"I'm very happy and very proud. But the most important thing is winning. Some judge me on my number of goals but for me, the way I play counts a lot."
Honduras coach Luis Suarez had no complaints about the result, but admitted he was confused by the protocol which initially saw both a 'no goal' and a 'goal' verdict delivered by the GoalControl system following France's second.
The first message related to Benzema's initial shot, while the second covered the Valladares fumble.
"During the 90 minutes they played better than us. I have no excuses," Suarez said.
"They were superior to us. It's hard to keep up with one less player. Being outnumbered, it is not easy.
"On the second goal, the machine first said that there was no (goal), and after granted one. I do not know what to think."
Source: PA
