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Spain defeated defending champions DPR Korea on penalties after a goalless U-20 Women’s World Cup final.
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Goalkeeper Laia Lopez emerged as Spain’s hero after saving two penalties in the shootout.
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The victory secured Spain’s second U-20 Women’s World Cup title following their 2022 triumph.
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DPR Korea finished the tournament without conceding a goal in open play despite losing the final.
September 28, (THEWILL) – Spain defeated defending champions DPR Korea on penalties to win the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 after a goalless final in Lodz on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Laia Lopez was Spain’s hero, saving two penalties after neither side could break the deadlock during 120 minutes of football.
The victory handed Spain their second U-20 Women’s World Cup title, four years after winning the tournament in Costa Rica in 2022.
Lopez denied Choe Yon-A and Pak Il-Sim in the shootout to give Spain the decisive advantage and end DPR Korea’s bid to retain the title.
The Spanish goalkeeper had also made a crucial intervention during regulation time, rushing off her line to block an effort from Ho Kyong after the DPR Korea substitute capitalised on a defensive mistake.
Ho had replaced Pak Ok-I late in the first half as DPR Korea sought a breakthrough in a tightly contested final.
Spain increased the pressure after the interval, with Pau Comendador forcing DPR Korea goalkeeper Pak Ju-Gyong into a diving save in the 78th minute.
Marisa Garcia, introduced during extra time, also threatened to break the deadlock, but Pak produced two saves to keep DPR Korea in contention and send the match to penalties.
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The shootout offered Spain a measure of revenge after DPR Korea defeated them 4-3 on penalties in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic in 2024.
This time, however, Lopez proved decisive as Spain prevailed to secure another major title in women’s youth football.
Despite the defeat, DPR Korea ended the tournament without conceding a goal in open play, becoming the first team to achieve the feat throughout an entire FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign.
Spain’s triumph further underlined the country’s recent success at youth level, while denying DPR Korea the opportunity to add another title to their record in the competition.
Segun Adeyemi serves as the Associate Editor of THEWILL Newspaper, leveraging more than ten years of editorial expertise and a proven track record in mainstream journalism.
