North Korea won their third FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup title following Sunday’s 4-3 penalty victory over Spain after playing 1-1 in regulation time.
In the build up to Sunday’s final at the Estadio Félix Sánchez, both teams were tied on number of wins at this edition and on overall titles won.
Victory against Spain ensured North Korea finished the tournament unbeaten and edged them on the overall titles won.
Only three teams came through the group stages at this edition with a hundred percent – the two finalists and Nigeria.
However, Nigeria were dumped out in the quarter-finals by the USA, who eventually picked up bronze for their 3-0 win over England in the third-place playoff.
Meanwhile in the championship game, Spain had taken the lead in the second half after a cagey first half.
Celia Segura broke the deadlock just past the hour mark, but the Europeans were pegged back when eventual golden ball winner, Jon Il-chong pulled her side level just four minutes later.
With the teams tied after 90 minutes, the match went straight into penalties and North Korea proved their supremacy.
Post Tournament Awards
Spain’s Pau Comendador finished the competition with 5 goals and won the golden ball, while Evan O’Steen of Team USA was voted as the Golden Glove winner.
Nigeria’s Flamingos emerged with the tournament’s Fair Play Award.