Germany have won the Under 17 World Cup after beating France on penalties in dramatic fashion.
The two teams – who had won every game so far in the tournament – played out a pulsating clash at the Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Indonesia.
Germany raced into a 2-0 lead in the final thanks to goals from Borussia Dortmund starlet Paris Brunner and Barcelona’s Noah Darvich.
The clash went straight to penalties – as per tournament rules – and both teams traded blows in the shootout.
Germany have won the Under 17 World Cup after beating France on penalties in a pulsating tie
The game ended 2-2 after normal time, before Germany won 4-3 in sudden death on penalties
It is the first time Germany have ever won the tournament (pictured – boss Christian Wuck)
France went 2-1 up before Germany came back to lead 3-2. Brunner had the chance to win the World Cup for Christian Wuck’s side but he missed his spot kick and Joan Tincres kept the tie alive.
Almugera Kabar gave Germany the advantage on sudden death, before Caen star Tidiam Gomis was the unfortunate player to miss for France as they lost 4-3 on penalties.
It is the first time Germany have ever won the Under 17 World Cup, in what is the tournament’s 19th edition.
France had won it once before in 2001 with a team that included the likes of former Liverpool stars Florent Sinama Pongolle and Anthony Le Tallec.
After winning all three group games, Jean-Luc Vannuchi’s outfit swept aside Senegal, Uzebekistan and Mali on the way to the final. Meanwhile, Germany defeated the USA, Spain and Argentina in the knockout stages.
Argentine forward Agustin Ruberto ended the World Cup with the Golden Boot after scoring eight goals, but Germany’s success was driven by Brunner and Max Moerstedt – who both netted five times.
The two sides are full of several talented stars and had won every game en route to the final
Ultimately Jean Luc Vannuchi’s side suffered heartbreak to end a hugely impressive campaign
Their success is hugely welcomed given that since winning the 2014 World Cup, their senior team has crashed out in the group stages in the following two tournaments.
Elsewhere, the third place play-off saw Mali thrash Argentina 3-0 in a superb achievement for the west African country.
England – who won the tournament in 2017 with a team that included Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho – crashed out in the last-16 stage with a shock defeat to Uzbekistan
