Spain advance to the U‑20 World Cup final after beating Italy

The Spanish women's national football team qualified on Wednesday for the final of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, held in Poland, after beating Italy 0-2 in the semifinal while North Korea overcame Colombia 3-0.

Spanish finals history

La Rojita reached its third World Cup final in the U-20 category, after the finals of 2018 and 2022. In 2018 the generation led by Patri Guijarro, Aitana Bonmatí, Laia Aleixandri, Cata Coll and Claudia Pina fell to Japan. In 2022, Salma Paralluelo, Fiamma Benítez, Inma Gabarro, Andrea Medina and Maite Zubieta secured the first world title for Spanish women's football.

Spanish dominance in the semifinal

In 2026 Spain continues to cement itself as a powerhouse in the youth categories. The squad blends the 2025 European U-19 champions with the prospects who shone last summer, presenting a bid for success against the title‑defending North Korea.

The match was played at the Miejski Stadium in Łódź, where Spain kept its goal untouched, the fifth of six games without conceding. The team coached by David Aznar dominated from the opening whistle, with 14 attempts in the first half compared to a single Italian chance.

Italy barely ventured into the box in the final minutes, with Paola Fadda as its biggest threat. An own goal by Azzurra Gallo from a cross by Daniela Agote opened the scoring at the 40th minute, after a goal by Alba Cerrato was ruled out for a foul on Irune Dorado.

After the break, Pau Comendador extended the lead in the 56th minute, becoming the tournament’s top scorer with her sixth goal, assisted by Daniela Agote from the right wing. The rest of the match saw Spain maintain pressure without adding more goals, despite a Spanish chance denied by a handball.

Final challenge against North Korea

Meanwhile, North Korea secured its place in the final by beating Colombia 3-0, with goals from Ok‑I Pak (28'), Rim‑jong Choe (35') and Ryu‑gyong So (47') at the same stadium. The North Korean defence, reigning 2024 champion, arrives as the favourite to retain the title.

The final is scheduled for Sunday 27 September at 18:00, pitting Spain against the title‑defending side. The match will close the 2026 edition of the U‑20 Women’s World Cup, which is being held in Poland under FIFA’s auspices.