Spain's women's national football team reclaimed its FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup crown on Sunday in a tense battle with reigning champs DPR Korea that needed penalties to decide it. Both teams went scoreless through 120 minutes of the Spain vs DPR Korea clash before a couple of incredible saves from Spain's goalkeeper Laia López swayed the shootout 4-3 in her team's favor.
Spain vs DPR Korea Deadlocked Before Penalty Shootout
But before Spain and DPR Korea made their way to the spot, the match in Poland was deadlocked.
DPR Korea keeper Pak Ju-Gyong denied Spanish forward Pau Comendador from close range in the 78th minute, then stopped Marisa García twice in extra time. On the other end, López blocked a dangerous first-half chance from DPR Korea after a defensive miscue.
López, though, saved her best work for the shootout. She stopped two North Korea attempts to clinch the 2026 U-20 World Cup title for her squad, earning the Golden Glove award in the process. Comendador, meanwhile, finished the global tournament with six goals to take home the Golden Boot for Spain.
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The victory comes two years after North Korea won a record-tying third title in 2024. They looked poised to repeat this year, breezing through earlier rounds of play.
But Spain gritted out the win, taking home just their second U-20 Women's World Cup title in four years, and continuing the country's dominance on the international stage.
