Internet Desk: France have claimed Europe’s fifth and final berth at India 2017 after beating Hungary 1-0 in a FIFA U-17 World Cup play-off match at the UEFA U-17 European Championship.
In the last week, in the first of Saturday’s two quarter-finals, England defeated Republic of Ireland 1-0 in Velika Gorica, with Jadon Sancho bagging the only goal of the game on 13 minutes. The goal saw the Manchester City starlet take his tournament tally to four. The result sees the Young Lions qualify for a second consecutive U-17 World Cup and a fourth global finals at this level in their history.
Saturday’s other quarter-final saw Germany come from behind to defeat the Netherlands 2-1 in Zapresic. It was the Dutch that looked the stronger side in the first half, having taken the lead just before half-time through Zakaria Aboukhlal. The Germans, however, turned things decisively in their favour after the break. Elias Abouchabaka levelled matters, having scored in three successive matches in the competition, before Jann-Fiete Arp dramatically fired home Germany’s winner with a minute remaining. Like England, Germany’s win saw them qualify for a second consecutive U-17 World Cup and a tenth overall appearance in their history.