France win Under-20 World Cup

French players  Paul Pogba, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Axel Ngando celebrate with the cup after winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup Final against Uruguay at Ali Sami Yen Arena. (Getty Images)

France clinched the Under-20 World Cup title for the first time after they beat Uruguay 4-1 in the penalty shootout after drawing 0-0 at the end of the extra time.

France goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was the hero of the day as he saved first two penalties for his team before Dimitri Foulquier converted the fourth goal for France, thus clinching the win.

France coach Pierre Mankowski said: “It was very tough. Six weeks is a long stay, but the players deserved to win this trophy. It was a nice journey around Turkey for them and for all the people who supported us.”

“It’s a huge joy,” right-back Lucas Digne said. “It still has to sink in but we know we did something great. We got possession in the final. We were calm and knew it would go for us.”

Paul Pogba, who was voted the best player of the tournament, said: “Incredible, this is the World Cup, the World Cup, the World Cup! It is something extraordinary. It will need some time to realize what we’ve done tonight.”

France is the sixth European champion in the history of the event and they are only the second European team to do so in the past 20 years.