Spain defeated defending champions DPR Korea 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw to win the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Łódź, Poland, on Sunday.
According to a report published on the FIFA website on Sunday night, Spain goalkeeper Laia Lopez was the hero of the shootout, saving penalties from Choe Yon-A and Pak Il-Sim as La Rojita secured their second U-20 Women’s World Cup title.
The victory came after a tightly contested final in which neither side could find a goal during 90 minutes or extra time.
Lopez had earlier kept Spain in the game during the first half, coming off her line to block an effort from Ho Kyong after the DPR Korea substitute picked up the ball just outside the area following a mistake by the Spanish defence.
Spain increased the pressure after the break, with Pau Comendador forcing an excellent diving save from DPR Korea goalkeeper Pak Ju-Gyong in the 78th minute.
Marisa Garcia also threatened for Spain in extra time, with Pak making two saves to deny the forward.
The final was eventually settled by penalties, with Lopez saving twice to secure the trophy for Spain.
The triumph marked Spain’s second U-20 Women’s World Cup title, following their 2022 success in Costa Rica. It also means Spain have won a second global title in succession after their senior men’s team won the FIFA World Cup in July.
Reacting to the victory, Spain coach David Aznar said the title completed “a beautiful cycle” for his players.
“For us, it was a way to bring a beautiful cycle to a close with a brilliant generation that has achieved so much success at youth level, and I think the players have made a tremendous effort. I’m very happy for them, above all to see them happy and to see them rewarded for all the work they have put in to get this far and for the effort they made in this match. It was a very tough, very difficult match, and they made things extremely difficult for us,” Aznar said.
Spain defender Silvia Cristobal said the players had dreamed of lifting the trophy from a young age.
“I think it’s the happiest day of our lives. We’ve dreamed of being here and lifting this long-awaited trophy since we were little. And, well, we’re incredibly happy, extremely proud of the result and of everything we’ve achieved,” Cristobal said.
DPR Korea coach Han Chol-Hak said he was proud of his players despite their defeat.
“After the game was all over, all of our players were crying and that really broke my heart. So I tried to comfort them. And as the head coach, I think that they all did their best. So I’m very proud of them,” Han said.
The final was a repeat of the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final, when DPR Korea defeated Spain 4-3 on penalties.
DPR Korea also made history in Poland by becoming the first team to complete a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup tournament without conceding a goal.
Spain forward Pau Comendador also became the first player to win two adidas Golden Boot awards in two different FIFA women’s youth tournaments, having previously won the award at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with five goals.
Source: punchng.com
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