Sleek North Korea stop Spain to win U-17 Women's World Cup

Korea DPR are the 2024 U-17 Women World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Spain 4-3 on post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw in an entertaining final staged at the Felix Sanchez Stadium in Dominican Republic.

Spain kicked off the match on a high and got their first shot on target in the second minute after Segura Celia was set up by Agirrezabala Aiara but his shot went direct to the Korea keeper.

Despite Korea having no shot on target in the first half, both teams went for a break in a stalemate.

It was however Spain who pulled the trigger first, at the hour mark when Celia Segura gave the Europeans the lead, connecting Comendador Pau's cross from the left flank.

However Korea responded immediately through Jon Il Chong who capitalised on Spain's defensive error to slot home in an empty net, a goal which attracted lengthy VAR review.

During the penalties, Korea DPR shot stopper PAK Ju Gyong saved Spain’s second shot from Iris Santiago. Pok Yong Jong of Korea also missed his shot with Pau Comendador shooting wide before Ryu Mi Kang dispatched the winning penalty for the champions.

"The win is a result of team work and we hope that we will build from it going forward,” said Korea DPR coach Song Sung Gwon.

The Asian country which was in Group C alongside Kenya's Junior Starlets won the title in 2016 in Jordan and in 2008 in New Zealand against Japan and USA respectively.

The United States of America secured third-place finish after defeating England 3-0 to bag bronze.