On a night of unrelenting drama in Surakarta, two Germany heroes emerged to secure the nation’s spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ final.

Dynamic attacker Paris Brunner scored a brilliant brace before netting the match-winning penalty in the shootout. That he was able clinch victory was down to inspired goalkeeper Konstantin Heide, who athletically saved the first two Argentina spot-kicks.

The match will be remembered as one of the greatest in the tournament’s history, with momentum swinging one way then the other. Germany looked to be heading through in 90 minutes before Argentina striker Agustin Ruberto completed a stunning hat-trick with a leveller in the seventh minute of added time.

Then it was Heide’s time. Drafted into the team because No1 Max Schmitt was unavailable through illness, the keeper savoured the opportunity to step up for his team when it mattered most.

“These are the moments where goalkeepers can be the heroes,” he said. “Of course, I was disappointed we conceded so late. But I have saved a lot of penalties in my career and I was very confident. Penalty shootouts are always cool for goalkeepers!”