Spain coach warns of French threat at World Cup

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has warned against writing off France as World Cup challengers.

France, the 1998 world champions and 2006 runners-up, have had some indifferent results in recent times and only secured their place in this summer's finals due to a highly-controversial 2-1 aggregate win over Republic of Ireland in the qualifying play-offs.

Under-pressure Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech and his team found themselves under further fire from the home fans at the Stade de France last night as they lost their international friendly to Spain 2-0 - the Iberian nation's first win in France since 1968.

Del Bosque has given the French cause for hope ahead of this summer's tournament in South Africa though, using Spain as an example prior to their success at Euro 2008.

"France could have a promising World Cup, they have the individual and collective potential to do it," said Del Bosque.

"Spain also had a lot of critics months before the 2008 European Championships, and the team went through difficult moments, but then they grew in confidence and thanks to this Spain lifted the trophy in Vienna."