France’s Under-17 national football team clinched a spot in the World Cup final in Indonesia after beating a determined Mali side 2-1 on Tuesday.
The French boys will be vying for their second championship title, having previously won in 2001, when they take on Germany in the final on Saturday in Surakarta.
In their semi-final match, Germany edged past Argentina 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
The match between France and Mali was a thrilling contest, with the latter taking the lead just before the end of the first half through a goal by their captain, Ibrahim Diarra.
This was the first goal conceded in the tournament by the French team, who had previously been solid at the back under the guidance of coach Jean-Luc Vannuchi.
However, the French team showed great resilience and determination in the second half, drawing level in the 56th minute with a well-placed header from Yvann Titi of Troyes, who unfortunately had to be substituted soon after due to injury.
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Mali’s hopes of securing a place in the final were further dashed when they were reduced to 10 men after Souleymane Sanogo was sent off for a foul on defender Aymen Sadi.
Taking advantage of the situation, Ismail Bouneb of Valenciennes scored the decisive free-kick in the 69th minute, sending France into the final.
It was Bouneb who had also scored the winner in France’s quarter-final match against Uzbekistan.
The French team’s goalkeeper, Paul Argney of Le Havre, played a crucial role in securing the win by pushing a free-kick onto the bar in the 89th minute.
Germany, who beat France in the European Championship final in June on penalties after a goalless draw, have never won the Under-17 World Cup.
The final between France and Germany promises to be an exciting encounter that will see both teams giving their all to lift the trophy.
