New Delhi, June 27 -- France coach Didier Deschamps knows all about succeeding with little. At this World Cup though, the captain of their triumphant 1998 team, who has as coach led them to a title and a runners-up finish in the last two editions, is showing that plenty doesn't mean a problem.

In 1998, France went all the way, with critics and experts wondering how the hosts would deliver without a designated No. 9. They did fine, inspired by Zinedine Zidane's class and goals. Going into the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, the big question for a side brimming with talent was how Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele could be slotted in effectively in a line-up whose primary task is to assist talisman Kylian Mbappe.

On Friday in th...