Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has said he expects France to be in for a tough match when they face Nigeria in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Les Bleus started the competition in blistering form, defeating Honduras and Switzerland, but took their foot off the pedal in the final game against Ecuador, drawing 0-0.
Benzema, who is playing in the World Cup for the first time having missed out in 2010, has so far scored three goals in the competition and carried on his good form he showed this season with Los Blancos.
Looking forward to the next game though, he said the African side would provide Didier Deschamps’ team with a tough test having pushed Argentina all the way earlier this week.
Speaking about the game against Ecuador, he said: “We have qualified, so one must be happy be that. It was a tough, tough match, and although we had a lot of success in front of goal in our previous games this time we came across a team who caused up problems on a physical level.
“Now we have to rest, recover and get 100 per cent ready for the knock-out match against Nigeria, who are a good, strong team, but we must do everything to win.”
