In Poland, Spain’s Under-20 women completed a demanding route to the world title, overcoming North Korea on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes in the final. David Aznar’s side had supplied the tournament’s attacking force, but it was Real Madrid goalkeeper Laia López who delivered the defining contribution, saving two spot-kicks to settle an absorbing contest.
Key takeaways
- Spain lifted the Women’s Under-20 World Cup after defeating North Korea in a penalty shootout.
- The final remained goalless through normal time and extra time.
- Laia López made two decisive saves during the shootout.
- Spain conceded only one goal across the entire tournament.
- North Korea’s goalkeeper, Pak Ju-Gyong, repeatedly denied Spain during the match.
A final shaped by contrasting strengths
The meeting brought together the competition’s most prolific attacking team and its most resilient defence. Spain began with the greater technical fluency and found particular joy down the right, where Pau Comendador caused persistent problems.
One move from that flank produced an early opening for striker Alba Cerrato. Put through with time to finish, she was unable to beat Pak Ju-Gyong, sending the ball too close to the North Korean goalkeeper.
North Korea responded by taking more control of possession and advancing with composure towards Spain’s penalty area. Laia López had to correct a misunderstanding with centre-back Silvia, making an important save to ensure the teams reached half-time level.
After the interval, Spain increased the pressure through their combination play and kept North Korea penned back for long spells. Pak Ju-Gyong, however, produced a series of saves to preserve her side’s clean sheet. Aznar turned to Gurtubay and Agote from the bench, seeking more movement and invention in the final third, but North Korea maintained the compact defensive structure that had carried them through the tournament.
López takes Spain to the title
As the match moved towards extra time, North Korea concentrated on resisting Spain’s attacks before showing more ambition late in the 90 minutes. Spain’s back line and López remained secure amid the late threat, while Marisa, introduced near the end of regulation time, was also denied by Pak Ju-Gyong.
Neither side could find the breakthrough over the additional 30 minutes, sending the final to penalties. There, López became Spain’s central figure. Her two saves, combined with the composure of Spain’s takers, brought the trophy to the Spanish squad after a tournament in which their defensive record had been almost as striking as their attacking output.
