Warsaw: Spain were crowned FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup champions after overcoming North Korea 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout on Sunday, with the two sides locked at 0-0 after 120 minutes.

Neither team was able to break the deadlock during regulation time, forcing the final into extra time. Chances came at both ends, but the score remained unchanged, sending the contest to penalties.

Spanish goalkeeper Laia Lopez emerged as the hero of the shootout, saving two spot kicks as Spain edged the defending champions 4-3 to secure the trophy.

The victory handed Spain their second U-20 Women’s World Cup crown, four years after their first triumph in Costa Rica in 2022. It also ended North Korea’s hopes of successfully defending the title they won in 2024.

With two titles, Spain now sit behind three-time champions the United States, Germany and North Korea in the tournament’s all-time honours list.

The tightly contested final underlined the strength of both sides, but Spain ultimately held their nerve from the penalty spot to finish their campaign in Poland as world champions.