Porto Alegre (Brazil): Striker Karim Benzema scored twice as France strolled to a 3-0 win over 10-man Honduras in Group E encounter of the FIFA World Cup at the Beira-Rio Stadium here Sunday.

Benzema, who has scored eight goals in seven matches now, became the first French player to score a brace in the World Cup since Zinedine Zidane did it in the 1998 final, reports Xinhua.

It was also the first time since 1998 for France to score in the World Cup opening match.

France's forward Karim Benzema celebrates after winning the Group E football match between France and Honduras at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Pic/AFP

Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios' sending off in the 43rd minute was the turning point of the match.

He barged into Paul Pogba's back, receiving his second yellow card and France were awarded a penalty for the misdemeanour. Benzema gave the keeper no chance giving France the lead.

France made a slow start to the game but as the game wore on started stamping their authority. Ten minutes into the match, France won three consecutive free kicks, with Blaise Matuidi stinging shot palmed away by the Honduras goalie onto the crossbar on the third occasion.

France took an overwhelming advantage in the rest of the first half. Antoine Griezmann hit the crossbar before Karim Benzema missed a diving header.