North Korea clinched the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title after edging Spain 4-3 on post-match penalties on Sunday at the Felix Sanchez Stadium in the Dominican Republic.The match had to be decided through a penalty shootout after the two sides settled for a 1-1 draw in regular time.After a goalless half, Spain broke the deadlock in the 61st minute through Celia Segura Rodriguez but the lead lasted for three minutes as Jon Il-chong rounded goalkeeper Laia Lopez before passing the ball into an empty net.##NAJAVA_MECA_8466816##Reacting to the win, Korea head coach Song Sung-gwon said team spirit was key in rallying from behind to eventually lay hands on the title.“We’re proud to beat the best European team to become the best team in the world. We were able to win because of our unity. We learned once again that if we fight together as one, winning is inevitable,” said the tactician in an interview with FIFA.Spanish midfielder Irune Dorado acknowledged that they came up against a tough opponent.“It was a hard-fought final. We knew it would be a tough opponent, but we are incredibly proud of all the work we’ve done. Penalties are a bit of a lottery, and it didn’t go our way, but we’re still very proud of everything we accomplished,” she saidHarambee Stars dumped out of CHAN qualifiers after draw with South SudanFollowing the win, North Korea became the most successful country in the tournament history, as they have clinched it three times. Before Sunday’s final, the country had previously won the tournament in 2008 and 2016.Spain had also won the tournament twice and was hoping to add a third one to the ones won in 2018 and 2022.This is the second time North Korea has won the World Cup in women’s football this year, having claimed the U-20 World Cup in September.North Korea were in Group C alongside the Junior Starlets, who were making their debut on the global stage.Meja on target in Sweden as Anyembe, Mandela suffer defeatsDespite being their first time at the World Cup, the Kenyan girls put up a spirited fight in the tournament and made history by beating Mexico 2-1 in the final group stage match.Mildred Cheche’s girls lost 3-0 to North Korea in the second group stage match.Meanwhile, the United States of America secured bronze after thrashing England 3-0 in the third-place playoff encounter.
