Espanha's Sub‑20 side clinch World Cup revenge over North Korea

Espanha’s under‑20 women’s national team secured the Mundial on Sunday 27, edging North Korea 4‑3 in a penalty shoot‑out after a goalless 120 minutes, extending the country’s dominance in youth football. The triumph also served as revenge for the 2024 Sub‑17 final, where Espanha fell to the same opponents on penalties.

Espanha dominated possession and kept the pressure on the North Korean defence, yet they could not turn the control into a goal. North Korea sought to strike on the counter‑attack and relied heavily on goalkeeper Pak Ju to preserve the deadlock. Alba Cerrato and Pau Comendador created dangerous chances but failed to find the net. Their midfield orchestrated several attacks, but the final third remained stubbornly quiet.

The deadlock was settled in the penalty shoot‑out, where Laia Lopez emerged as the decisive figure for Espanha. The Spanish goalkeeper made crucial saves that tipped the balance in Espanha’s favour. Spain’s composure under pressure proved decisive as each penalty was taken with confidence. Ultimately the Spaniards converted four spot‑kicks to North Korea’s three, sealing the title.

North Korea’s recent pedigree

North Korea entered the final with high morale, having won the Mundial Sub‑17 in 2024 and repeated the triumph in 2025 with a 3‑0 victory over the Netherlands. They also lifted the Sub‑20 World Cup in 2024. Despite those credentials, they could not replicate the earlier success against Espanha.

Espanha’s growing trophy cabinet

The Sub‑20 triumph adds to a period of prominence for Spanish football, joining recent achievements of the senior men’s and women’s national sides in the Mundo. The victory reinforces Espanha’s expanding mural of international trophies at youth level. It underscores the nation’s sustained investment in its football foundations.

Foto: Divulgação/RFEF / Jogada10 captured the celebratory moment on the pitch. The Spanish federation celebrated on Twitter with the message “¡HISTÓRICO, CHICAS! ¡CAMPEONAS DEL MUNDO SUB‑20!” accompanied by the hashtags #U20WWC and #NuestraBase.

With the Mundial Sub‑20 now secured, Espanha looks to build on this momentum as it prepares for upcoming senior competitions. The squad’s confidence will be vital as the nation aims to maintain its global standing across all age groups.