Germany's boys have lifted the under-17 World Cup for the first time after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over France following a 2-2 draw in Surakarta, Indonesia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Goalkeeper Konstantin Heide was again the hero for the Germans on Saturday, saving two penalties including the crucial sudden death kick from Tidiam Gomis.
Borussia Dortmund youth defender Almugera Kabar then fired home to spark wild celebrations among the German youngsters.
The under-17s' success in Indonesia contrasts markedly with Germany's senior team, who have crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage in the last two editions. They are also European champions at this age level.
Germany had only made it to the final once before. In 1985, the team were beaten 2-0 by Nigeria in what was then an under-16 World Cup.
"We are European and world champions. I am so grateful for this age group of players," coach Christian Wuck told RTL after watching his side lose a two-goal lead and go behind in the shoot-out but still prevail, having also been reduced to 10 players in normal time.
"If you wanted to know the character of this team, they showed it today. it was unbelievable."
In normal time, Dortmund's player of the tournament Paris Brunner slotted home a 29th-minute penalty after the video assistants and the referee had taken several minutes to award the spot-kick for Aymen Sadi's challenge on Bilal Yalcinkaya.
Noah Darvich, on the books of Barcelona, then scored from a tight angle early in the second half for 2-0 before Saimon Bouabre grabbed a quick goal back for the French with a fine finish.
Winners Osawe's red card for two bookings made it a nervous finish for the Germans, and Mathis Amougou made them pay when he was left unmarked to equalise on 85 minutes.
With no extra-time at this tournament, it went straight to penalties and Unterhaching's Heide shone again.
Wuck picked Heide in goal after his heroics in the penalty shoot-out win over Argentina in the semi-final. Max Schmitt had been the starting keeper previously but was too ill to face the South Americans.
Heide justified the decision as France, who had come from behind to beat Mali in their last-four clash, failed to add to their one title at this age group.
Darvich said: "As a team we have done it perfectly. It was pure fight."
Australian Associated Press
