DPR Korea secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Colombia in the semifinal of the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, booking their place in the tournament final. This win brings the North Korean side within reach of an unprecedented achievement: becoming the first team to successfully defend the U-20 World Cup title.
Early Goals Set the Tone for North Korea’s Dominance
The match’s momentum shifted decisively in the first half, beginning with Pak Ok-i capitalizing on a loose ball inside Colombia’s six-yard box in the 28th minute to open the scoring. The lead was doubled just seven minutes later when Choe Rim-jong connected with a cross from the left flank, directing a precise header into the net before the halftime whistle.
Colombia found it difficult to mount a comeback after the break. Early in the second half, Seo Ryu-gyong exploited a gap in the defense within the penalty area to extend the lead to 3-0, effectively sealing the match and extinguishing Colombia’s hopes of a late rally.
This victory marks another strong chapter in DPR Korea’s history at the U-20 level. Having claimed the championship in 2024, North Korea now shares the record for most U-20 Women’s World Cup titles alongside the United States and Germany, each with three trophies.
The final hurdle lies ahead, where DPR Korea will face Spain. La Roja advanced by defeating Italy 2-0 in the other semifinal clash held on Wednesday. Should North Korea triumph in the upcoming final on Saturday, they will set a new benchmark with four championships—the highest total in tournament history.