FIFA U20 Women's World Cup - Latest News

Japan go down to Spain in final

Mon, 29 Aug, 2022

Japan go down to Spain in final

San Jose: Japan’s hopes of clinching their second consecutive FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup title were dashed after a 3-1 defeat to Spain in the Costa Rica 2022 final at the National Stadium on Sunday.

Inma Gabarro extended her tally in the goal scoring charts with the opener before a brace from Salma Paralluelo gave Spain a three-goal cushion going into the break, with Japan scoring a consolation through Suzu Amano after the restart.

Brazil took third place after defeating the Netherlands 4-1 in the playoff.

Preview: Japan targeting history with second title

Sat, 27 Aug, 2022

Preview: Japan targeting history with second title

San Jose: Japan will be chasing a record-breaking second consecutive FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup title when they face Spain in the 2022 final at the National Stadium of Costa Rica on Sunday.

The defending champions are unbeaten in a campaign which saw them score 11 goals en route to reaching the final, while Spain also boast a similar record and will meet Japan in what will be a repeat of the last FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup decider.

Japan beat Brazil to set up Spain decider

Fri, 26 Aug, 2022

Japan beat Brazil to set up Spain decider

San Jose: Maika Hamano’s late strike gave defending champions Japan a hard fought 2-1 win over Brazil in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 semi-finals at the National Stadium of Costa Rica on Thursday.

Brazil’s Miriam Cavalcante equalised in the second half to cancel out Yuzuki Yamamoto’s 30th minute opener but Japan turned on the style late in the game with Hamano’s effort.

The young Nadeshiko will face Spain, who defeated the Netherlands 2-1, in the final on Sunday.

Ohba follows her instincts to save Japan

Tue, 23 Aug, 2022

Ohba follows her instincts to save Japan

Alajuela: Shu Ohba was the hero as Japan advanced to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 semi-finals in dramatic fashion on Sunday.

The goalkeeper saved France's first spot-kick in a thrilling quarter-final that ended 5-3 in Japan's favour after the match ended 3-3 as the Young Nadeshiko stayed on track to defend the title they won in 2018.

Japan fight back to book semi-final spot

Mon, 22 Aug, 2022

Japan fight back to book semi-final spot

Alajuela: Defending champions Japan defeated France 5-4 on penalties in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 quarter-finals at the Alejandro Moreira Soto Stadium on Sunday.

Japan’s Yuzuki Yamamoto cancelled out Magnaba Folquet’s opener with the forward setting-up Maika Hamano to score their second, before Esther Mbakem-Niaro forced the match into extra-time in the 84th minute.  

Substitute Megane Hoeltzel then gave France the lead in the 110th minute, only for Japan to force a shoot-out following Aoba Fujino’s spot-kick in the fifth minute of added time, with the East Asian side converting all five penalties to seal the victory after France missed one attempt.

Preview: Japan ready for France test

Sat, 20 Aug, 2022

Preview: Japan ready for France test

Alajuela: Defending champions Japan are fully confident of overcoming France in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 quarter-finals on Sunday.

The 2018 champions will face a France side who won the 2019 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship at the Alejandro Moreira Soto Stadium.

Korea Republic’s campaign over after France defeat

Fri, 19 Aug, 2022

Korea Republic’s campaign over after France defeat

San Jose: Korea Republic suffered the agony of a late 1-0 defeat against France in their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 Group C fixture at the National Stadium of Costa Rica on Wednesday.

Substitute Esther Mbakem-Niaro’s goal in the 74th minute sealed the win for the European champions, who joined Nigeria in the quarter-finals. France will meet 2018 champions Japan in Sunday's quarter-finals.

France finished with six points, three shy of group winners Nigeria with Korea Republic third with three.

Perfect Japan too strong for USA

Thu, 18 Aug, 2022

Perfect Japan too strong for USA

Alajuela: Japan were at their best to beat USA 3-1 to secure top spot in Group D of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 on Wednesday. 

Three second half goals from Manaka Matsukubo, Shinomi Koyama and Haruna Tabata saw the 2018 champions advance to the quarter-finals with a perfect record of three wins for a face-off with Group C runners-up France Sunday. 

Young Matildas bow out after Spain defeat

Wed, 17 Aug, 2022

Young Matildas bow out after Spain defeat

San Jose: Australia’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 campaign came to an end following their 3-0 defeat to Spain in their final Group A tie at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto on Tuesday.

Australia were left trailing through a pair of first-half goals from Imma Gabarro with the Spanish number nine adding her third on the hour-mark to put the result beyond doubt.

Spain topped the group with seven points on goal difference ahead of Brazil, who strolled to a 5-0 win over Costa Rica to qualify into the knockout stage.

Leah Blayney’s side, who opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica before going down 2-0 to Brazil, finished third.

Korea Republic go down fighting against Nigeria

Mon, 15 Aug, 2022

Korea Republic go down fighting against Nigeria

San Jose: Korea Republic’s hopes of sealing a quarter-final berth in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 suffered a set-back following Nigeria’s late strike in their Group C encounter at the National Stadium of Costa Rica on Sunday. 

Esther Onyenezide’s goal in the 83rd minute sealed the win for the Falconets, who booked their spot in the quarter-finals. 

With second spot still up for grabs, the Taeguk Ladies face a crucial must-win tie against France on Wednesday for a place in the knockout stage.

Japan beat Ghana to reach quarter-finals

Mon, 15 Aug, 2022

Japan beat Ghana to reach quarter-finals

Alajuela: Japan advanced to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 quarter-finals after beating Ghana 2-0 on Sunday. 

Maika Hamano scored twice in the second half to see Japan surge to the top of the standings as they ensured a top two finish in Group D. 

Japan will face the USA next on Wednesday. 

Australia fall to Brazil

Sun, 14 Aug, 2022

Australia fall to Brazil

San Jose: Australia suffered their first defeat of their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2022 campaign, losing 2-0 to Brazil in Group A at the National Stadium of Costa Rica on Saturday.

Priscila Flor da Silva gave Brazil a 1-0 lead going into the break before Aline Gomes Amaro struck just after the interval to seal the win for the South Americans.