Karim Benzema: 'Spain are the favourites'

France striker Karim Benzema has admitted that Spain will be the favourites when the pair clash in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.

Les Bleus will face the European and World Champions in the next round after Tuesday's 2-0 defeat to Sweden left them in second spot in Group D, and Benzema has played down their hopes.

"We console ourselves with the qualification, but if we want to do something in this European Championship, we cannot reproduce this kind of performance. Individually, there were not many who did well, except Hugo [Lloris] in goal. Against Spain, who are a team that come to play, we will have more space," he told reporters.

"But we should not kid ourselves. Spain will be favourites; they are one of the best teams in the world. The belief and the trust in one another is still there, but now we must rest and then quickly get back to work."

The match between the two will take place on June 23.