Spain’s penalty triumph adds to unprecedented five‑year title haul

Spain sealed the Under‑20 Women’s World Cup on Sunday after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Korea, a decisive moment that lifted the nation’s tally to an astonishing 17 world and European titles in just five years.

The shootout followed a tightly contested final in which both sides missed chances before Spain prevailed. The win adds to the women’s recent Nations League crowns in 2024 and 2025, confirming a period of sustained success at youth level.

Spain’s senior women’s team also made history three years earlier, defeating England in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, becoming the first nation to hold both men’s and women’s World Cups simultaneously.

Men’s triumphs

On the men’s side, La Roja lifted the European Championship in Berlin two years ago before conquering the senior World Cup in New Jersey, beating Argentina 1‑0 in the final. The same squad added a Nations League title in 2023 and Olympic gold in 2024, while the under‑23 side claimed the 2024 Olympic gold medal.

"It is a dominance," Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told. "It's like the perfect storm. Culturally, we do things a certain way. Everybody believes in it. The important thing is that we don't stop. It's another Everest because the men won the World Cup in 2010 two years after winning the Euros. Now we've done it again."

Appointing Luis de la Fuente as men’s head coach in December 2022 was described as a risky gamble. Balague added, "They went with this guy [De la Fuente] who understood the style and the system. It was a very risky decision – I don't think anyone thought he would be so successful." Former midfielder Juan Mata said, "De la Fuente knew most of these players from the academies and they are growing as a team. This is not only a team for the present, but also a team for the future."

Wider influence and legacy

Spain’s Nations League victory over England on Saturday extended their unbeaten run to 39 matches across all competitions, the longest streak ever recorded by any European or South American side. The win came after a missed penalty by England’s Harry Kane, underscoring Spain’s resilience.

Beyond the national teams, Spanish influence is spreading to club football: at least a quarter of the managers beginning the 2026‑27 Premier League season are Spanish. Former player‑turned‑journalist Maria Garrido noted, "The changes in women's football in Spain have been especially significant. Ten years ago, when I played for FC Barcelona, there was no La Masia for girls. We covered our own transport costs, our parents brought us to training, and we.." This evolution mirrors the broader dominance that Spain now enjoys across senior, youth and women’s football.