Raul - happy to see France go out (Allsport)

By Paul Walker, PA Sport, Daejeon

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Spanish superstar Raul relished the elimination of world champions France as unbeaten Spain head for the last 16.

Spain, who have already qualified for the second stage, face South Africa here knowing that their path to the final themselves has been eased by France's shock departure.

Real Madrid hero Raul said: "Our possibilities are growing after the elimination of France."

Only a shock defeat by the South Africans - who need a point to qualify themselves - will stop Spain taking top spot in Group B - and go through to a likely meeting with the Republic of Ireland in Suwon on Sunday.

But Raul is already looking to the future, saying: "The important thing is that we go forward as group winners, the only thing is our minds is to be the leaders.

"Important too is that we maintain our consistency in this World Cup after winning our first two games. That will only help us in the future."

On France's exit following their defeat by Denmark, Raul added: "It was a great surprise, but Denmark and Senegal played better than France did and deserve to go forward to the next round.

"And there is no doubts that we want to stay top because it will give us the extra day to prepare for the next round because if we stay top we play our next game on Sunday, but if we are second we must play on Saturday."

Spanish coach Jose Camacho will still, however, rest some of his top stars against the South Africans.

The likes of Fernando Hierro, Juan Valeron, Juanfran, Javi De Pedro and Curro Torres are likely to start on the bench but could get run-outs while Luis Enrique, Fernando Morientes, Gaizka Mendieta and Ivan Helguera are expected to start.