2023 FIFA U-17 WC: Hero Heide helps Germany into final
Jakarta, Indonesia (PANA) - Paris Brunner scored a brace then netted a shootout-winning penalty as Germany beat Argentina in a FIFA U-17 World Cup classic.
Agustin Ruberto scored a hat-trick for Argentina but his incredible efforts proved in vain as the Germans edged home 4-2 on spot-kicks, with Player of the Match Konstantin Heide saving Argentina's first two attempts.
Germany looked set to be heading through in normal time when they led 3-2 in the game’s dying moments – but Ruberto's clinical 97th-minute finish sent the game to a shootout.
Argentina duo Franco Mastantuono and Claudio Echeverri then saw their penalties saved by Heide before Brunner clinched an unforgettable win, fifa.com reported.
Germany struck the first blow of the match, with Brunner tricking his way into space on the left flank before squeezing a shot underneath Jeremias Florentine in the Argentina goal in the 9th minute.
Argentina levelled in the 36th minute when Ruberto lashed in after Dylan Gorosito won possession from Brunner then cut the ball back to the No9.
If Ruberto’s first goal was routine, his second in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time was sensational. The River Plate attacker sat down centre-back Finn Jeltsch with a swift change of direction then crashed a shot into the top corner.
Germany made a strong start to the second half and levelled through another fine Brunner goal on 58 minutes. The Borussia Dortmund ace seized on a loose ball from Argentina stopper Florentine, drove forward, then curled in a sumptuous strike from the edge of the box.
Christian Wuck’s side visibly grew in confidence after making it 2-2 and, on 69 minutes, they regained the lead when Max Moerstedt expertly headed home from six yards.
Then came Ruberto's last-gasp leveller in the 7th minute of time added on, before Germany prevailed on penalties, with Argentina's introduction of back-up goalkeeper Franco Villalba for the shootout proving in vain.
Germany have reached the final of the tournament for the first time since its inaugural edition in 1985. Argentina have now lost their last six U-17 World Cup semi-finals.
-0- PANA MA 28Nov2023
