Justice was done on all fronts in Porto Alegre on Sunday as goalline technology passed its first World Cup test with flying colours and French free-flowing football conquered the heavy-handed tactics of Honduras.
With France leading 1-0 in Group E thanks to Karim Benzema’s penalty just before halftime, the GoalControl system took centre stage three minutes into the second half.
Benzema’s shot cannoned off a post, came back across the face of goal before Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares inadvertently nudged the ball towards his own net.
To the naked eye it was almost impossible to tell if it had crossed the line. Adding to the confusion Benzema wheeled away in delight, while Valladares played on trying to convince Brazilian referee Sandro Ricci he had gathered the ball in time.
The system, which features 14 high-speed cameras located around the pitch, seven focusing on each goalmouth, confirmed to Ricci that the ball had crossed the line and he blew for a goal to put France 2-0 ahead.
Benzema went on to crack home another for France, giving the 1998 World Cup winners a comfortable 3-0 victory, but had the technology not been available it is unlikely the referee would have been able to award the goal.
In 2012, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said it was “a historic day for international football” when England midfielder Frank Lampard ‘scored’ his “ghost goal” against Germany at the World Cup two years earlier as it convinced him of the need for goalline technology.
While technology played its part in France’s win, ‘Les Bleus’ fully deserved the three points. Their pace, direct running and inventiveness was in stark contrast to the aggressive, confrontational approach of the Central Americans.
Coach Luis Fernando Suarez had called his side the “Cinderellas” of the World Cup but on Sunday it appeared the ‘ugly sisters’ had showed up as Honduras sought to prevent France from getting into a rhythm.
While there is a long way to go before France can exorcise the ghosts of their woeful 2010 campaign it was a positive first step in repairing their tarnished reputation.