North Korea is just one win away from claiming its third title after a hard-fought semifinal victory over the United States in the 2024 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
On Thursday, the North Korean U-20 women’s team edged out the USA with a 1-0 win at Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali, Colombia. The decisive goal came in the 22nd minute of the first half, as Choe Il Son found the back of the net following a well-placed pass from Kim Song Ok.
Choi’s left-footed strike from just inside the penalty area marked her fifth goal of the tournament, putting her in a tie for the top scorer position alongside Natalia Benditu from Brazil and Japan’s Hijikata Maya, who also have five goals.
The U.S. team appealed for a penalty kick in the 24th minute of the second half when North Korea’s Kim Song Ok brought down Ally Sentnor as she penetrated the right side of the penalty area. They promptly requested a video assistant referee (VAR) review. However, after checking the replay, the referee ruled that Kim had touched the ball first, denying the U.S. the penalty.
North Korea, a two-time FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup champion (having won in 2006 and 2016) and a runner-up in 2008, will now face the semifinal winner between Japan and the Netherlands in the championship match on September 23.
If North Korea wins the trophy, it will be its first title in eight years and its third overall.
The United States, tied with Germany for the most titles in tournament history with three, aimed to reclaim the championship after a 12-year absence but fell short against North Korea, setting up a battle for third place.
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