Our young stars are true world-beaters

ENGLAND match-winner Phil Foden insisted England never doubted their ability to see off Spain in the Under 17 World Cup final, even after going 2-0 down on Saturday.

Foden had a dream night in Kolkata, scoring twice as the Young Lions hit back in style to claim a 5-2 win as well as leaving with the Golden Ball award for player of the tournament.

Unbeknown to the 17-year-old his Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was keeping tabs 8,000 miles away and musing on his first-team prospects, but Foden was soaking up the moment at Salt Lake Stadium.

“We knew we were capable of coming back, we just said ‘stay calm and play our own football’,” he said.

“We didn’t get off to the best start but we got in at half-time, got the team together and came out fighting. We saw that in the second half.”

Rhian Brewster grabbed his eighth goal of the tournament, enough to earn him the Golden Shoe, to make it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time and pave the way for an onslaught which saw goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Marc Guehi as well as Foden’s decisive brace.

In June England’s Under-20s won their version of the World Cup, the Under-19s were crowned European champions in July while the Under 17s were runners-up in May’s Euros.

Manager Steve Cooper was glowing in his praise for the team.

“I’m speechless, the feeling is a little bit surreal,” he said.

“But we are worthy winners in my opinion, for the amount of goals we scored, the amount of goals conceded, the football we’ve played, the individual talent. To be 2-0 down in a World Cup final and come back to win 5-2 tells you everything about the character of England players.

“It’s recognition not just for where English football is but where it can go. To think we’re holders of not just the Under 17 World Cup but also the Under-20s is pretty special.

“We’re building for the future and that’s the way to do it.”

England senior internationals past and present also flooded Twitter with their support, while Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson, who failed to enjoy any joy with the Three Lions in three tournaments as manager, added: “It’s very good reward for the good work that’s been going on at St George’s Park for a number of years now, certainly while I was with England.

“Academies at clubs deserve credit because they are now producing players technically and athletically as good as teams we are facing in these competitions.”