Spain are once again world champions at youth level.
La Roja defeated DPR Korea 4–3 on penalties after a goalless final in Łódź to lift the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, securing Spain’s second-ever title in the competition.
The final was decided from the penalty spot after 120 minutes of intense, disciplined football produced no goals. And when Spain needed a hero, goalkeeper Laia López stepped forward, saving two penalties to seal the trophy for David Aznar’s side.
For a generation that had experienced the heartbreak of losing the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final to the same opposition on penalties, this was a very different ending.
Spain have reconquered the world.
A final between two youth football powers
The meeting in Łódź brought together the two teams that had dominated the tournament.
DPR Korea entered the final as the defending champions and had reached the match without conceding a goal. Spain, meanwhile, had impressed throughout the competition and arrived after victories over Brazil and Italy in the knockout stages. (FIFA)
The final was always expected to be closely contested, and that proved to be the case.
David Aznar made two changes from Spain’s semi-final victory over Italy, while his team attempted to establish control through possession and movement.
Spain started with intensity and created some of the early openings. Pau Comendador was unable to finish one counter-attacking opportunity, while Alba Cerrato tested the DPR Korea defence.
DPR Korea goalkeeper Pak Ju Gyong also produced an important early intervention, while Laia López was called upon to deal with a long-range effort from the Asian side.
Neither team was prepared to give the other space.
Spain looked to combine through midfield, pressing when opportunities appeared and dropping into a compact defensive structure when required. DPR Korea repeatedly looked for their forwards behind Spain’s defensive line.
One of the best opportunities of the first half fell to DPR Korea after a moment of uncertainty between Spain’s defence and López, but the Spanish goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to deny the resulting effort.
The teams went into half-time level.
Spain push for the breakthrough
The second half continued in much the same fashion.
Cerrato produced one of Spain’s most dangerous runs from the left before seeing her shot saved, while DPR Korea also threatened after a loose ball inside the Spanish penalty area.
Spain responded by increasing the pressure.
A precise passing move created an opportunity for Rosalía Domínguez, but Pak Ju Gyong produced another important save.
Moments later, the DPR Korea goalkeeper was called into action again, denying Cerrato after an excellent switch of play from Spain.
Aznar introduced Elene Gurtubay and Daniela Agote as Spain looked for greater attacking momentum, with Celia Segura also entering later in the match.
Spain continued to control large periods of the game, while DPR Korea increasingly defended deep and looked to threaten from set pieces.
Pak once again denied Spain, this time producing an excellent save from Pau Comendador’s effort from outside the area.
But despite Spain’s pressure, the breakthrough never came.
After 90 minutes, it remained Spain 0–0 DPR Korea.
Extra time brings no breakthrough
Spain made further changes for extra time, with Carla Julià and Marisa García coming on.
With fatigue increasing and the possibility of losing the World Cup becoming ever more real, both teams became increasingly cautious.
Chances became harder to create.
One of Spain’s clearest opportunities came when Marisa García found herself one-on-one with Pak after an excellent piece of skill from Julià, but once again the DPR Korea goalkeeper stood firm.
Another header from Spain’s number nine was also brilliantly kept out.
The final whistle after 120 minutes confirmed what had become inevitable.
The World Cup would be decided by penalties.
Laia López becomes the hero
There was an obvious sense of history surrounding the shootout.
Almost two years earlier, Spain had lost the 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup final to DPR Korea in a penalty shootout.
This time, however, the ending belonged to Spain.
DPR Korea opened the shootout through Ho Kyong before Marisa García responded for Spain.
Then came the first decisive moment.
Laia López saved DPR Korea’s second penalty.
Celia Segura and Carla Julià successfully converted their penalties for Spain, while DPR Korea continued to respond.
With the score at 3–3, Daniela Agote stepped up and calmly converted Spain’s fourth penalty.
DPR Korea still had one final opportunity to keep the shootout alive.
But López stood tall once again.
The Spain goalkeeper saved the fourth DPR Korea penalty, sending her team into celebrations.
Spain 4–3 DPR Korea on penalties.
World champions.
Another golden generation for Spain
The victory represents Spain’s second FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title, following the country’s first triumph in 2022. (FIFA)
It also continues an extraordinary run of success for Spanish women’s youth football.
Spain’s route to the final included a perfect group-stage campaign, followed by victories against Portugal, Brazil and Italy in the knockout stages. (FIFA)
Against DPR Korea, Spain showed another side of their game.
There was no spectacular scoreline and no individual attacking performance that decided the final. Instead, the team demonstrated patience, defensive organisation, resilience and the ability to stay composed during 120 goalless minutes.
And when the match finally came down to individual moments, Laia López delivered.
Two saves.
One World Cup.
Spain are world champions once again.
For Spanish women’s football, another generation has reached the top of the world stage.
And for these players, after the disappointment of 2024, this time there was only one ending.
Spain reconquered the world.
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