Korea Republic's Group A challenge ended with a single point, earned in a 1-1 draw in their opening match against Colombia, which was followed by 5-0 defeats to Spain and the United States.

DPR Korea, the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 winners, topped Group C in impressive fashion - defeating Mexico (4-1), Kenya (3-0) and England (4-0).

Japan, the 2014 champions, kicked off their challenge with a goalless draw against Poland but stepped up a gear in their next two matches - beating Brazil 2-1 and Zambia 4-1 to top Group D.

Choe Rim Jong's 14th minute strike secured DPR Korea a 1-0 win over Poland in their quarter-final tie while Japan suffered heartbreak, losing 4-1 to England on penalties after their last eight tie finished 2-2.

Semi-finals
Ro Un Hyang stepped up for DPR Korea in the semi-final against the United States, scoring the only goal of the game in the 69th minute to set up a final against defending champions Spain, who cruised 3-0 past England in their last four tie.

The final was an extremely tight affair with DPR Korea goalkeeper Pak Ju Gyong - barely tested in the matches leading to the decider - proving decisive with a slew of top saves and a crucial stop in the penalty shootout after the tie ended 1-1.

Pak was called upon from the beginning, denying Celia Segura less than two minutes into the contest. After the frenzied first few minutes, the two teams settled into things, which yielded a cagey first half, with Alba Cerrato and Pau Comendador having looks at goal for Spain, who were seeking a third consecutive title.

On the DPR Korea side of things, head coach Song Sung Gwon reverted to making an early substitution, replacing FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024 Golden Ball winner Choe Il Son shortly before half-time with Ho Kyong, who then nearly scored off a goalkeeper error.

A tepid first half gave way to a scintillating second 45 minutes and Spain would break the deadlock when Comendador created space for herself on the left and whipped in a cross that went past a sea of legs and rolled to Segura, who fired home.

DPR Korea answered back right away on a ball over the top to eventual Golden Ball winner Jon Il Chong, who took a touch to round Spain goalkeeper Laia Lopez and scored from a narrow angle to pull her side level.

Things stood on a knife’s edge going into the final quarter-hour, as Pak was pressed into another save to deny Cerrato, while DPR Korea mounted pressure at the other end. A winning goal was not to be found, so matters had to be settled from the spot where DPR Korea converted four of five to win the crown.