BRENDAN GALLAGHER

OK, it wasn’t a cracker but nor was this play-off game a dud. In a tournament marked by a handful of games for the ages and too many complete blow outs, this was a compelling contest between two battle-weary but still hungry teams who manifestly considered finishing third in the world better than fourth.
Bronze medals are much better than no medal at all and some very good teams indeed exited this World Cup two weeks ago or more with shattered dreams and broken hearts. England’s squad will have a trinket to show their grandchildren in years to come. An 80,000 Friday night ...