England Under-17s' World Cup victory in India against Spain is testament to the progress the country is making in international football, according to head coach Steve Cooper.
England's Young Lions recovered from a 2-0 deficit to roar back in style to score five unanswered goals to win the final in memorable fashion in Kolkata.
The result caps a fantastic year for England's youth sides - another highlight being the Under-20s World Cup win in South Korea - and Cooper believes it shows the strides English football is making.
"For me it is recognition of not just where English football is but where it can go and where we want it to go," said Cooper. "To think we are now the holders of the 17s and 20s World Cup is for me pretty special."
Cooper, whose side had lost on penalties to the same opponents in this summer's European Championship final, was proud of his side's collective performance and believed they were "worthy winners of the tournament" highlighting the "character" of his squad.
"I am speechless," added Cooper. "The feeling is surreal. It might even feel a bit better tomorrow when we realise what we have done.
"The players were fantastic all the though the tournament along with the staff. In my opinion we are worthy winners of the tournament (through) the way we have played, the amount of goals we have scored, the football we have played, individual talent, team identity, character and personality.
"To be 2-0 down in a World Cup final, in my opinion against the run of play, and to come back and win 5-2 tells you everything about the character of English players."