A penalty killer from Unterhaching named Konstantin Heide decisively helped the U17 team of the German Football Association (DFB) in Indonesia win the first World Cup title in its history. As in the final of the European Championship in Hungary six months ago, the DFB team also won the final in Surakarta (Indonesia) on penalties against France – this time 4-3, after a 2-2 draw in regular time. Heide saved two penalties; Because another shot from the French hit the crossbar, Borussia Dortmund substitute Almugera Karba was able to convert decisively from the spot.
“We are Europe and World Champion. The boys are making themselves immortal,” shouted Christian Wück, coach and architect of a world champion team. In the three years in which he worked with the 2006 class, he repeatedly appealed to the “German virtues.” The harvest: two international titles in six months – and hope for a great horizon. “If you saw the character of the team – then today in this game,” said Wück.
As if he had 1000 arms: Germany goalkeeper Konstantin Heide once again prevented the French from having a chance.
(Photo: Achmad Ibrahim/dpa)
He did this in reference to the adversity his team overcame. It had squandered a 2-0 lead in the final, played with one man less for more than 20 minutes because of a yellow-red card and also overturned a deficit in the penalty shootout. “It was pure battle,” said captain Noah Darvich (FC Barcelona).
Paris Brunner, the best player of the tournament, scores safely from the penalty spot
The German team played against France with the same eleven that had defeated Argentina in the semi-finals. And that meant, among other things, that Heide stayed in goal and not the actual regular goalkeeper Maximilian Schmitt (FC Bayern). Schmitt was ill before the semi-final; Heide earned hero status through brilliant deeds – and renewed it in the finale. Among other things, he was brilliantly there for the only shot the French had on goal in the first half (24th minute). After a shot from Saimon Bouabré, Heide flew – and confidently directed the ball around the post (22nd).
Driver and conductor of German success: coach Christian Wück.
(Photo: Marcio Machado/MIS/Imago)
Otherwise, the German team dominated the game almost at will. It was clear from the start that she had gained a lot of self-confidence from the tournament so far and the two victories she had won against France at the 2023 U17 European Championship. The DFB team played courageously and purposefully: A goal from Brunner in the 4th minute was disallowed due to offside. But the tone was set. And after a long-range shot from Noah Darvich (15th), it led to the scene that gave Germany the lead. During an attack, French defender Aymen Sadi kicked German attacker Bilal Yalcinkaya in the calf. After what seemed like an eternity of checking by the video assistant (VAR), possible offside positions were deemed irrelevant. Dortmund’s Brunner stepped up – and he scored safely (29th).
Even after that, the German team kept the French away from their own goal. The French had the ball, but almost exclusively in zones that posed no danger. The German team, on the other hand? Continued to spread terror, first through Hoffenheim center forward Max Moerstedt (37′) and Brunner (45’+4).
After the break, the French increased the pressure. When the DFB team’s first counterattack was successful and Darvich scored 2-0 after a cross pass from Moerstedt with the help of French goalkeeper Paul Argeny (50th), the Germans seemed to have one hand on the trophy. Four minutes later, however, the goal came as a complete surprise. After a strong individual effort, Bouabré scored 1:2 (50th).
Stood out at the entire World Cup: Borussia Dortmund striker Paris Brunner (right) was named the best player of the tournament.
(Photo: Achmad Ibrahim/dpa)
The hit gave the French oxygen. Shortly afterwards they even had the chance to equalize: Heide brilliantly parried a header from Yvann Titi (55th). Almost 15 minutes later, the final became a test of will. Because after a foul in the half field, Winners Osawe saw the yellow-red card. It was a tough decision, especially in a final. But it didn’t help: Germany had to play the last 20 minutes of what had been a great, but also extremely physically demanding tournament, outnumbered.
Joyful sprint in the Manahan Stadium: Max Moerstedt (from left), Almugera Kabar, Paris Brunner and Finn Jeltsch let their emotions run wild after the last penalty, which Kabar converted.
(Photo: Achmad Ibrahim/dpa)
Wück sacrificed his captain Darvich – and substituted the defensive-oriented Almugera Kabar (Borussia Dortmund). It was the signal for a defensive battle. The French created a few half-chances and a really good opportunity following a corner kick from Sylla. It was left to Mathis Amogou to score the well-deserved equalizer after a cross pass from Tidiam Gomis (85′). But just as the ten-minute stoppage time had begun, Germany almost scored the winning goal in the first relief attack of the final phase. However, Brunner and Moerstedt failed to finally knock out France when they had a double chance. to set. Substitute Kabar almost conjured up a penalty against the German team at the last second, but a late collision went unpunished. But then the penalty shootout followed, in which Germany suffered – and won. Through a final penalty that Kabar converted.