They will try to claim a second championship after their only win in 2001 when they face Germany in the tournament decider on Saturday in Surakarta.

Germany downed Argentina in the other semi-final 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

But France had to come back from a goal down after Mali took the lead in first-half injury time through captain Ibrahim Diarra.

It was the first goal conceded in the tournament by the young players of coach Jean-Luc Vannuchi.

They drew level in the 56th minute through a header from Troyes' Yvann Titi, before he was withdrawn minutes later through injury.

Dejected: Argentinian soccer player Agustin Ruberto (right) looks at celebrating German players after the European team’s victory in the 2023 Under-17 World Cup semifinal soccer match between Argentina and Germany at Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java, on Nov. 28, 2023. Germany won 4-2 in a penalty shootout. (Antara/Mohammad Ayudha)

That came after Mali were reduced to 10 men a minute earlier when Souleymane Sanogo was sent off for a foul on defender Aymen Sadi.

With Mali a man down, Valenciennes' Ismail Bouneb scored the decisive goal with a free-kick in the 69th minute. 

He had sent France into the semi-finals after scoring the winner against Uzbekistan in their quarter-final match.

France goalkeeper Paul Argney of Le Havre secured the win by pushing a free-kick onto the bar in the 89th minute.

Germany have never won the Under-17 World Cup but beat France in the European Championship final in June on penalties after a 0-0 draw.