San Francisco 49ers have kicked off their NFL season with a 20-3 victory over Minnesota Vikings thanks to two touchdowns from Carlos Hyde.

Neither side were able to open the scoring in an intriguingly tight first quarter at the Levi's Stadium, as both teams missed field goal opportunities.

A 28-yard attempt by 49ers veteran kicker Phil Dawson was blocked by the Vikings' Marcus Sherels and Andrew Sendejo, before Blair Walsh missed a 44-yard effort for Minnesota.

The game remained goalless for most of the second quarter, as an 80-yard touchdown by the 49ers' Blair Ellington from a special team return was chalked off by the officials due to an illegal block.

The 49ers eventually took the lead with just 47 seconds remaining before half time, as Hyde ran in for the game's first touchdown, which Dawson converted.

San Francisco extended their lead to 10 points after the break, as Dawson successfully kicked a 30-yard field goal in an otherwise close third quarter.

The Vikings finally got on the scoreboard in the final quarter with a 37-yard field goal by Walsh, but any hopes of a Minnesota comeback were dashed as Hyde ran his second touchdown of the match to give the 49ers a 17-3 lead.

San Francisco extended their advantage with a 25-yard field goal by Dawson, and they continued to dominate by regaining possession after a Vikings turnover with around two minutes left on the clock.

The hosts were able to maintain their lead and pick up their first win of the campaign.