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Spain were crowned FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup champions after defeating defending champions North Korea 4-3 on penalties following a tense 0-0 draw after 120 minutes in Lodz, Poland, on Sunday.
The final produced no goals during regulation time or extra time, but it was far from short of drama. Both teams created opportunities, both goalkeepers produced outstanding performances, and Spain eventually had goalkeeper Laia López to thank after she saved two penalties to deliver the trophy to David Aznar’s side.
The triumph gave Spain their second FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title, following their previous success in 2022. It also ended North Korea’s hopes of successfully defending the crown they won in 2024.
Spain entered the final having already demonstrated their attacking quality throughout the tournament, while North Korea arrived as the reigning champions and had not conceded a goal on their way to the decider.
The Spanish side started with greater attacking intent and almost took control of the final during the opening stages. Alba Cerrato had an early opportunity after Spain created space around the North Korean defence, but goalkeeper Pak Ju Gyong came off her line to deny her.
Cerrato continued to threaten and later found another opening inside the penalty area, but her effort was again stopped by the impressive North Korean goalkeeper.
Spain’s Noe Bejarano was also influential in the first half, using her movement and passing to create opportunities for her teammates. However, North Korea defended compactly and made it difficult for Spain to find a clear route towards goal.
North Korea came close to breaking the deadlock when Pak Ok I attempted to catch Laia López off her line with a long-range effort. The Spanish goalkeeper reacted quickly and pushed the ball behind for a corner.
The biggest scare for Spain before half-time came after a defensive misunderstanding. A poor defensive header left Ho Kyong with a chance to run through on goal, but López recovered brilliantly and made the save to keep the scores level.
The second half saw Spain increase the pressure.
Cerrato produced another dangerous individual run, while Pau Comendador repeatedly tested the North Korean defence from distance. Rosalía Domínguez also found herself in a promising position but could not beat Pak Ju Gyong.
The North Korean goalkeeper was becoming the central figure of the final. In the 77th minute, Comendador unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from outside the penalty area that appeared destined for the top corner, only for Pak Ju Gyong to produce an outstanding save.
Spain continued to push, but North Korea remained dangerous on the counterattack. The Asian champions also came close through Jon Il Chong after a set-piece situation, although the opportunity was not converted.
With neither side able to find the breakthrough, the match went into extra time.
Spain made several attacking changes as Aznar attempted to unlock a defence that had resisted wave after wave of pressure. The best opportunity of the first period of extra time fell to Marisa García.
After receiving a cleverly lifted pass from Carla Julià, García raced into the penalty area and found herself in a one-on-one situation with Pak Ju Gyong. The Spanish forward attempted to finish the move, but once again the North Korean goalkeeper stood firm and blocked the effort.
The second period of extra time followed the same pattern. Spain continued searching for the winning goal, while North Korea defended desperately and looked for opportunities to counter.
Neither team could break the deadlock, meaning the World Cup title would be decided from the penalty spot.
North Korea took the first kick through Ho Kyong, who kept her composure and converted to put the defending champions ahead.
Spain immediately responded through Marisa García, who confidently found the net to level the shootout at 1-1.
The second round produced the first major turning point. North Korea’s Choe Yon A stepped forward, but Spanish goalkeeper Laia López guessed correctly and saved the penalty.
Celia Segura then took Spain’s second penalty and made no mistake, putting Spain 2-1 ahead.
North Korea responded through Ri Pom, who converted her attempt to bring the shootout back level at 2-2.
Carla Julià then restored Spain’s advantage, calmly converting to make it 3-2.
With the pressure increasing, Jon Il Chong stepped up for North Korea and successfully converted, making the score 3-3.
Spain were now one successful penalty away from moving within touching distance of the trophy. Daniela Agote accepted the responsibility and calmly sent her effort into the net to put Spain 4-3 ahead.
That left North Korea needing to score their next penalty to keep the shootout alive.
Pak Ok I stepped forward with the fate of the defending champions resting on her shoulders. However, López once again read the direction correctly and produced another outstanding save.
The Spanish players immediately rushed towards their goalkeeper as the save confirmed a 4-3 shootout victory and secured the World Cup for Spain.
There was no penalty that went over the crossbar or wide of the goal during the decisive shootout. Spain converted all four of their attempts, while North Korea’s two unsuccessful kicks were both stopped by López.
The complete sequence told the story of Spain’s victory: Ho Kyong scored, Marisa García scored, Choe Yon A was denied by López, Celia Segura scored, Ri Pom scored, Carla Julià scored, Jon Il Chong scored, Daniela Agote scored, before López saved Pak Ok I’s final attempt.
López’s two saves transformed her from an important performer during the 120 minutes into the decisive figure of the final. Pak Ju Gyong had dominated the match with a series of impressive saves, but it was López who produced the interventions that ultimately decided the championship.
Spain’s victory also carried an extra layer of significance because several players from the Spanish squad had experienced a penalty-shootout defeat against North Korea in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final. The meeting in Lodz therefore offered Spain an opportunity to overcome that previous disappointment.
Pau Comendador finished the tournament as Spain’s leading scorer with six goals, while López delivered the final piece of the puzzle when it mattered most.
For North Korea, the defeat ended their attempt to successfully defend the U-20 Women’s World Cup. For Spain, it marked another major achievement in their increasingly successful women’s youth football programme.
After two hours of football without a goal, the championship was ultimately decided from 12 yards. Spain kept their nerve, López produced two crucial saves, and the trophy went back to Spain after a dramatic 4-3 penalty-shootout victory.
