Spain have won the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after defeating defending champions DPR Korea 4-3 on penalties following a goalless final in Łódź, Poland, on Sunday.
According to a report published on the FIFA website on Sunday night, Spain goalkeeper Laia Lopez played a decisive role in the shootout, saving attempts from Choe Yon-A and Pak Il-Sim to help La Rojita claim their second U-20 Women’s World Cup title.
The final remained goalless throughout the regulation 90 minutes and extra time, with both teams producing a closely fought contest.
Lopez was particularly important in the opening half, making a crucial intervention to deny Ho Kyong after a defensive error by Spain presented the DPR Korea substitute with an opportunity just outside the box.
Spain came out with greater attacking intent after the interval. Pau Comendador came close in the 78th minute, but DPR Korea goalkeeper Pak Ju-Gyong produced an impressive diving save to keep the score level.
Comendador continued to pose a threat in extra time, while Pak made two further saves to prevent the Spanish forward from finding the breakthrough.
With neither side able to score after 120 minutes, the championship was decided by a penalty shootout. Lopez stopped two attempts to give Spain the victory and secure the trophy.
The triumph gives Spain their second FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title, following their success in 2022 in Costa Rica.
The achievement also gives Spain back-to-back global titles, coming after the country’s senior men’s team won the FIFA World Cup in July.
Spain head coach David Aznar described the victory as the conclusion of “a beautiful cycle” for his players.
He praised the team for their efforts throughout the tournament and said he was particularly pleased to see the players rewarded for their hard work after a difficult final.
Spain defender Silvia Cristobal said winning the trophy fulfilled a dream the players had held since childhood.
She described the occasion as “the happiest day of our lives” and said the squad was extremely proud of both the result and what they had accomplished.
Despite the defeat, DPR Korea head coach Han Chol-Hak expressed pride in his players. He said the emotional reaction from the squad after the match was difficult to watch but praised them for giving their best throughout the final.
The match 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 created a record during the tournament in Poland, becoming the first team to complete a FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign without conceding a goal.
Spain forward Pau Comendador also made history by becoming the first player to win two adidas Golden Boot awards at different FIFA women’s youth tournaments.
She had previously claimed the award at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup after scoring five goals.
Source: PUNCH
