The second fixture in Group E features France taking on Honduras in the Estadio Jose Pinheiro Borba in the city of Porto Alegre. The French do look like the favorites to win this match but Honduras from the CONCACAF will prove to be a test for the UEFA powerhouse.
The match began brilliantly as France began an assault on the Honduran goal with many threatening shots. Soon after many hard tackles were coming in as France were being frustrated by a very resilient Honduran side. Paul Pogba and Wilsoon Palacios both got into a scuffle, which resulted in both players getting booked.
French midfielders Mathieu Valbuena and Paul Pogba were the orchestrators of the match, both dictating the pace of the match. Then the breakthrough came for France as once again Palacios foolishly tackle Pogba inside his own area. The challenge earned Palacios his second booking, which resulted in a sending off . Karim Benzema then calmly slotted the ball from the twelve yards out on the spot.
The second half started off brightly again for France as they applied heavy pressure. France doubled their lead with a confusing goal that saw Benzemas shot deflect of the second post and bounce on the line. The Honduran goalkeeper, Noel Valladares, scrambling to get the ball off the line had accidentally knocked the ball into his own net and for the first time the goal line technology was used. The goal was declared as an own goal.
The final goal came through a corner set piece that was initially saw the first attempt at goal deflected out but then kindly fell to Benzema. He clinically scored from a tight angle.
It seemed to be all but one-way traffic for France as they dominated possession and chances at goal. This result means that France is tied with Switzerland with points but lead with a bigger goal difference of Group E.
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