UEFA Youth League: Bayern Munich win dramatic penalty shootout to claim title

Bayern Munich have won the UEFA Youth League after beating Benfica 5-4 on penalties in a thrilling final at the Colovray Stadium in Nyon, Switzerland.

The match had finished 2-2 after extra time, with Bayern twice coming from behind to level the scores.

Bayern took the lead in the first half through a fine strike from Malik Tillman, but Benfica equalised just before half-time through Henrique Araújo. Araújo then gave Benfica the lead early in the second half, but Bayern hit back again through a penalty from captain Lars Lukas Mai.

The match went to extra time, but neither side could find a winning goal. Bayern eventually prevailed in the penalty shootout, with all five of their takers converting their spot-kicks. Benfica's Paulo Bernardo missed the decisive penalty to hand Bayern the victory.

Bayern's victory is their first in the UEFA Youth League, and it is the first time that a German team has won the competition. Bayern have now won all three of UEFA's club competitions this season, after the first team won the Champions League and the women's team won the Women's Champions League.

Benfica's defeat is their second in the UEFA Youth League final, after they lost to Barcelona in 2014. The Portuguese side have now lost four of their five matches against Bayern in all competitions.

Bayern's victory is a testament to the strength of their youth academy, which has produced a number of talented players in recent years. The likes of Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry have all come through the Bayern youth system and are now key players for the first team.

Bayern's success in the UEFA Youth League is also a sign of the growing strength of German football. The Bundesliga is now one of the strongest leagues in Europe, and German clubs are regularly competing for major trophies.