If there was any justification needed for goal line technology in the world's number one sport, it finally came early in the 2nd half of France v Honduras in Porto Alegre.
Many times in the past, referees would have quickly looked away, only to find action replays showing the ball had clearly crossed the line as it did for Benzema's "goal" - it was credited as an own goal to the unfortunate Honduras keeper, Noel Valladares as the final touch came from his fumble.
Many players would have been left aggrieved including one Mr Frank Lampard.
Alas, common sense ruled although there was some initial confusion about what the goal-line technology had said with the first graphic showing no goal, then the 2nd a goal - there was probably no need for that given that the ball was still live even if it had bounced off the post and just rode the line of the goal.
Anyway, it was a goal that was inevitable for France who were far superior to a plucky Honduras side reduced to 10 men after Wilson Palacios' silly foul which gave away a penalty and earned him a second yellow after just receiving a first.
A shame then, that Benzema couldn't claim the 2nd goal - had it been credited to him, it would have been the World Cup's first hat-trick. However, Benzema's performance means that all the big name strikers, Neymar, Messi, Balotelli, Sturridge, Robben and van Persie have all scored in this World Cup - in recent times, many of those players have found themselves out of form, exhausted after a tiring club campaign.
France, like Holland, appear far more united than they were last time, but it remains to be seen whether Les Bleus can be real contenders away from Europe - Mexico '86 was the last time the French had a good performance at a World Cup outside Europe, making the semifinals.
Another contender, Argentina also got their campaign underway - it was a nervy performance by the neighbours at the Maracana against a spirited Bosnia-Herzegovina side but ultimately, it was Messi who made the difference with a brilliant goal - perhaps Begovic could have done better but the run and persistence was absolute class.
Like Brazil, Argentina will feel better now that they've got a tricky opener out of the way and can look forward to Iran and Nigeria with plenty of confidence. Whether they are world champions elect though, is still a bit debatable in this most open of World Cups.
Incredibly, no goalless draws with Cameroon and Greece the only sides not to score at this tournament so far. Even goal-line technology couldn't save them though.
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