Spain’s U-20 women’s national team honored after world title victory

Penalty Shootout Victory Over North Korea Secures World Title

Spain secured the championship after a final against North Korea that remained deadlocked through 120 minutes of regulation and extra time. The title was decided via a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Laia López saved two penalties to secure the win. Successful spot-kicks from Marisa García, Celia Segura, Carla Juliá, and Daniela Agote finalized the victory.

The path to the final included a group stage where Spain defeated Nigeria, New Caledonia, and China. In the knockout rounds, the team eliminated Portugal, Brazil, Italy, and North Korea.

Overcoming Past Defeats at the Under-17 Level

Several players on the squad described the victory as a form of redemption for a previous loss in the under-17 world championship final. Irune Dorado stated that seven players from the current squad had lost that earlier final in a “cruel” manner, adding that winning this title provided a sense of relief and removed a long-standing “thorn” from the group.

Noemí Bejarano noted the challenges of the tournament, including an ankle injury she suffered during the quarterfinals. Bejarano expressed confidence in her teammates’ ability to perform “magic” on the pitch even when she could not participate in the final.

Federation Leadership Highlights a Golden Era for Spanish Football

Rafael Louzán, president of the Spanish Football Federation, described the current period as a “golden era” for both men’s and women’s football in Spain. Louzán told the players that they are now part of the history of Spanish and global football, urging them to maintain their commitment as the team looks toward the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

The celebration was attended by several high-ranking sports officials, including José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, president of the Higher Sports Council, and Sonia Bermúdez, the head coach of the senior women’s national team. Sandra Sánchez, a decorated karateka, also attended the event to present trophies and speak on the sacrifices required to reach elite performance levels.

Coaching Philosophy and Team Dynamics

Head coach David Aznar emphasized a collective approach to the tournament, stating that the World Cup was won by the team rather than a single player. In locker room addresses shared during the ceremony, Aznar urged his players to “make history together” and to demonstrate that they represented Spain through enjoyment and discipline.

Captain Cristina Librán described the team’s internal chemistry as a balance between a playful atmosphere off the pitch—characterized by music and dancing—and strict discipline during training sessions.

Tournament Path and Key Results