The ball moves faster than the plot can follow, and somehow that's the point. Germany's goalkeeper Moeller doesn't just block shots, he swallows them whole, and Schneider plays like he's been trained to humiliate every defender on the field. Japan wins because Tsubasa learned something no training montage can teach: the other team has to believe they've already lost before the final whistle sounds.

Japan's under-16 soccer squad heads to France to compete in the international junior youth tournament held in Paris. Before the competition begins, the team plays a series of friendly matches in Germany. Once the tournament starts, Japan beats Argentina, Italy and France in turn, facing top-class players along the way. That run sets up a final against a formidable West German side, whose huge goalkeeper, versatile ace Kaltz and star forward Schneider, rated the finest player in Europe, promise Japan its toughest match yet.