Referee Sandro Ricci lucky for France

Porto Alegre: France boss Didier Deschamps accepted that Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci had been the key figure as his side got their World Cup campaign off to a perfect start with a 3-0 win over Honduras on Sunday. Ricci awarded France a penalty, converted by Karim Benzema, and sent-off Wilson Palacios for a second bookable offence before Benzema rounded off the win with a fine third goal 18 minutes from time. 

 

However, France were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men themselves in the first-half when Paul Pogba kicked out at Palacios. “It is a marvellous start and was a great match for us. The penalty and the sending off changed the game we scored three goals in the end. We could have scored more, but it is a good start for the team,” said Deschamps.