Łódź will host a meeting of the last two winners of the Women’s Under-20 World Cup on Sunday, when Spain and North Korea return to the final stage of the tournament. Spain, champions in 2022, reached the decider after overcoming Italy; North Korea, holders from 2024, arrived with a commanding 3-0 semi-final victory over Colombia.
The final is scheduled for 18:00 in the Polish city, with North Korea seeking a fourth title and the chance to stand alone as the competition’s most successful nation. They currently share the record of three championships with Germany.
North Korea’s authority over Colombia
Colombia never found a way to unsettle Han Chol-Hak’s side, whose control of the semi-final was clear well before the interval. North Korea attacked with purpose from the opening minutes, testing from distance and repeatedly pushing Colombia’s defence back, although a lack of precision initially kept the score level.
The breakthrough came in the 29th minute, following a difficult moment for Colombian goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo. Jon Il-Chong struck from a narrow angle and Agudelo could not deal cleanly with the effort. After a scramble in front of goal, Park Ok-i reacted quickest to turn the loose ball into the net.
Six minutes later, Jon again shaped the decisive action from the left. Her cross was met by Choe Rim-Jong, whose header doubled the advantage and left Colombia with a steep climb before half-time.
The contest was effectively settled soon after the restart. North Korea used a rehearsed set-piece, with Kan Ryu Mi beginning the move and Jon Il-Chong delivering into the six-yard area, where So Ryu Gyong was ready to finish. Jon’s involvement in each of the three goals underlined her influence on a semi-final played largely on North Korean terms.
Ri Su Jong, introduced at the start of the second half, could have added another when she went through one-on-one, but her attempt only brushed past the goalkeeper. It was one of several signs that the margin might have been wider. Colombia created little danger at the other end, and North Korea were able to ease their intensity late on, use their substitutions and preserve energy for Sunday.
A final with history on both sides
North Korea will now play their fourth final in the age-group tournament. Their only previous defeat at that stage came against the United States in 2008, while their three triumphs have put them level with Germany at the summit of the honours list.
Spain, meanwhile, will appear in a third final. Alongside their 2022 title, they carry the memory of the 2018 final loss to Japan. In Łódź, the two most recent champions will meet for another crown: a familiar summit, but one carrying a possible new record for North Korea.
