North Korea has clinched the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup victory after beating Spain 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the final on Sunday.
Korea DPR won the title for the third time to become the most successful team in the tournament history.
Spain went in front at Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium in the Dominican Republic with a goal from Celia Segura Rodriguez in the 61st minute.
But North Korea leveled three minutes later with Jon Il-chong rounding goalkeeper Laia Lopez and slotting the ball home. With neither side breaking the deadlock afterward, the game went to a penalty shootout.
Jong Pok-yong missed North Korea’s second penalty, but Iris Ashley Santiago and Pau Comendador also missed their shots for Spain, which turned out to be fatal as North Korea led the score thereafter and won the penalties 4-3.
The victory sealed North Korea’s third World Cup title and capped off the country’s successful run in this year’s tournament where they have won all games.
The reclusive country not only won all three group stage matches against England, Kenya and Mexico, but also went on to beat Poland, United States and Spain in the knockout stage.
Sunday’s victory also made North Korea the winningest team in tournament history with three titles — in 2008, 2016 and 2024.
If Spain won the final, they would have become the most successful team as they won the World Cup twice in 2018 and 2022.