Time for Raul and Spain to make their mark

ESSEN, Germany, June 26 (Reuters) For a man about to play his 99th international and who is already the all-time leading scorer for his country and in the Champions League, there should be no need to question the pedigree of Spain captain Raul.

Yet going into the World Cup second round clash with France tomorrow, his 29th birthday, there remains the nagging feeling that the prolific striker still has something to prove after never quite delivering for Spain when it really matters.

A match against France is the ideal opportunity for him to make an impact and help erase memories of their last competitive meeting in the Euro 2000 quarter-final when Raul missed a last-minute penalty in a 2-1 defeat.

He has scored 44 goals in 98 internationals and won the Champions League three times with Real Madrid but his tournament disappointments mirror his country's.

Both invariably look impressive in qualifying, rack up goals in friendlies and set off with high hopes every second summer.

GREAT UNDER-ACHIEVERS Yet Spain have failed to get past the quarter-finals in their last nine World Cups and though the Spanish have had a little more success in the European Championship they have earned a reputation as Europe's great under-achievers.

Tomorrow's game comes 22 years to the day since they lost the Euro 84 final to France.

Four years ago Spain lost to South Korea on penalties in the World Cup quarter-finals, having beaten Ireland in a shootout in the previous round.

Raul missed the Korea clash with a groin injury but having come on from the bench in the first two games in Germany looks set to win his 99th cap from the start against France.

If he is to get his 100th here then Spain will have to find the form they showed in the opening 4-0 demolition of Ukraine and in the latter stages of their 3-1 win over Tunisia.

France steadily improved through the group phase and showed some incisive attacking, let down by wayward finishing, in the 2-0 win over Togo that secured second place behind Switzerland.

Playmaker Zinedine Zidane missed that match through suspension but should return to a five-man midfield behind sole striker Thierry Henry as they look to extend a five-match unbeaten run in competitive games against their neighbours.

''We're improving and I believe we'll continue to do so,'' said France coach Raymond Domenech. ''It's not now that we want to play the perfect match. It's in the final on July 9.'' Probable teams: Spain (4-3-3): 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 5-Carles Puyol, 22-Pablo Ibanez, 3-Mariano Pernia; 18-Cesc Fabregas, 14-Xabi Alonso, 8-Xavi; 9-Fernando Torres, 7-Raul, 21-David Villa.

France (4-5-1): 16-Fabien Barthez; 19-Willy Sagnol, 15-Lilian Thuram, 5-William Gallas, 3-Eric Abidal; 4-Patrick Vieira, 6-Claude Makelele, 22-Franck Ribery, 10-Zinedine Zidane, 7-Florent Malouda; 12-Thierry Henry.

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy) Reuters PM GC0922