India, July 18 -- Thomas Tuchel did not attempt to manufacture enthusiasm after England's World Cup dream ended in the semi-finals. "None of our players and none of the French players want to play this match," Tuchel said. "They want to play the final. We gave everything to achieve that."

Didier Deschamps confirmed the mood from the other camp. "England does not want to play this game, and neither do we. But here we are," the France coach said, while stressing that representing the national team still carried a duty. "It is not a friendly. It is a third-place playoff."

That is the contradiction of the World Cup's most awkward match. It brings together two teams still processing the collapse of their greatest ambition, asks them to recov...