Łódź hosts a new chapter in Spain’s young women’s football story on Friday, with David Aznar’s side meeting Italy for a place in the Women’s Under-20 World Cup final in Poland. Kick-off at the Miejski ŁKS Stadium is scheduled for 15:00, in the first U-20 World Cup meeting between the two countries.
Spain arrive with the strongest record left in the competition. They have won each of their five matches, scoring 19 times and conceding only once on the route to the semi-finals. Portugal were beaten 2-0 in the last 16 before a 1-0 victory over Brazil secured the trip to Łódź.
Pau Comendador has been central to that run. Her five goals make her the tournament’s leading scorer, and Spain will again look to the forward as they pursue a third final appearance in four editions. The Spanish had reached the semi-finals in 2018 and 2022, winning both tournaments.
Italy bring a first-time semi-final presence
Italy have already broken unfamiliar ground in Poland. The Azzurrine had never previously reached the last four of the U-20 World Cup, but topped a difficult group without losing a game, finishing ahead of the United States, New Zealand and Japan.
Their knockout route has demanded different qualities. Italy needed penalties to overcome China after a 1-1 draw in the round of 16, prevailing 5-4 in the shootout. They then produced an emphatic 3-1 quarter-final win against South Korea.
Karen Appiah scored twice in that quarter-final and has four goals in the competition for Cesena’s forward. Paola Fadda, scorer of a notable long-range effort against South Korea, has added three goals and offers another serious threat from distance.
Spain chase a final and a step beyond silver
For Aznar’s Spain, the match is also an opportunity to turn the generation’s European Under-17 silver medal into a greater prize on the world stage. The coach has made clear that reaching the final is the immediate target.
“We want to make the final,” Aznar said. “There is enormous excitement and motivation within the group to achieve it.”
Italy’s historic progress ensures there will be no easy passage, but Spain enter the evening in Łódź with momentum, goals and recent experience of winning at this stage. Ninety minutes, or potentially more, now stand between either side and the final.
