Africa U-17 champions, Senegal has been knocked out of the FIFA U-17 World Cup by France after a 5-3 penalty shootout in Jakarta.

With a late substitution, Nhoa Sangui, scoring the game-winning kick, Les Bleuets converted all five of their attempts from 12 yards, setting off scenes of euphoria from the European side.

As the young Lions of Teranga were eliminated from the competition, goalkeeper Paul Argney, who had yet to give up a goal in regular time after four games in the competition, stopped Senegal’s Daouda Diong’s second penalty.

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The fight was intense and fought close to the wire. Idrissa Gueye’s long-range drive was mishandled by custodian Argney in the 58th minute, giving Senegal the impression they had scored. Clayton Diandy then finished the tap in, but the celebrations were cut short when the offside flag was raised.

Soon after, Argney was called upon once more to stop Yaya Dieme’s incredible run. Bastien Meupiyou redirected the ball towards his own goal, forcing Argney to make a superb one-handed stop.

More opportunities came and went; Dieme struck the base of the post following a right-wing burst, and then he ended another move by cutting the ball back to Diandy, who stabilised himself 12 yards out before missing the target by a short margin.

Senegal was left regretting their wasted chances as France remained composed during the penalty shootout.