North Korea Sweep Past Colombia to Set Up U-20 World Cup Final with Spain

North Korea’s under-20 women are one victory from retaining their world title after beating Colombia 3–0 in Łódź on Wednesday. The holders will meet Spain in Sunday’s final, carrying an extraordinary record into a match between the winners of the two most recent editions.

Pak Ok-I opened the scoring in the 28th minute, Choe Rim-jong headed in a second seven minutes later and So Ryu-gyong added a third soon after the interval. Jon Il-chong, who created the second and third goals, was named player of the match. The scoreline reflected another commanding performance by a side that has not conceded in six games in Poland.

A formidable run

FIFA’s match report says the victory extended North Korea’s run to 13 consecutive wins in this competition, dating back to the 2024 tournament in Colombia. It was also a ninth successive U-20 World Cup match without conceding, both tournament records. The team has scored 16 goals in six games at this edition, according to Reuters.

Those figures make the final more than a familiar meeting of strong youth sides. North Korea won the 2006, 2016 and 2024 editions; Spain took the crown in 2022. A North Korean win on Sunday would bring a fourth title and make the team the first to defend the U-20 women’s trophy successfully.

Colombia had already faced the holders in the group stage and lost 3–0. Its semifinal path included a late winner against Nigeria in the quarterfinals, but the rematch offered little relief. Colombia will now play Italy for bronze on Saturday; Spain beat Italy 2–0 in the other semifinal.

One more test

North Korea’s youth programme has long produced results at this level, but a final is still a separate contest. Spain’s own recent title and route through the knockout rounds make Sunday’s meeting a genuine examination of the holders’ unbeaten, unbreached campaign.

Choe told FIFA after scoring against Colombia that the team’s aim is to win the World Cup. The opportunity is now immediate: the final is scheduled for 27 September in Łódź.

Featured image: DPR Korea women’s footballers in an archival match against Nigeria, photographed by John Pavelka. Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. It does not depict the 2026 semifinal.