China PR hit five as Colombia, DPR Korea and Spain win

DPR Korea and China PR breezed to victories

Colombia rallied past Costa Rica as Spain downed Nigeria

Golden Boot Race | Every Player of the Match

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026™ continued on Monday with Groups E and F entering the fray. Reigning champions DPR Korea begun with a routine victory over Portugal, while China PR broke down a stubborn New Caledonia defence with five second-half goals to ease to victory.

Later in the day, Colombia overcame a slow start to take down Costa Rica, and Spain got a goal in each half to power past Nigeria.

Group E

DPR Korea 2-0 Portugal

DPR Korea goals: Kang Ryu-mi (25 pen, 50) Player of the Match: Kang Ryu-mi (DPR Korea)

A pair of goals from Kang ensured reigning champions DPR Korea opened their account with a straightforward victory over Portugal in Lodz.

The AFC giants thought they had opened the scoring when Erica Cancelinha put through her own net, but an offside in the build-up spared the defender's blushes. Han Chol-hak's side wouldn't have to wait long to take the lead, as Kang swept home a penalty after Francisca Castro had handled in the box.

Kang doubled her money just after the restart, capitalising on a mix-up in the Portugal rearguard to head home into an unguarded net. DPR Korea continued to press from there and came close to a third through substitute An Kyong-yong, but in the end had to make do with their two-goal victory.

What they said...

"I’m very happy that we won our first match of the tournament. We won’t get carried away with today’s victory, and we will continue to show what we are capable of in the matches ahead. I don’t think the goal I scored today was mine alone. It was a goal created through the united efforts of the entire team. I think the key to our victory was our own tactical approach and the team’s unity and organisation." Kang Ryu-mi, DPR Korea goalscorer

"I think the performance was outstanding. From minute zero to the 94th minute, we saw every player grow against a very strong team. We knew DPR Korea were a very strong side, but we also felt that our team had the ability to respond. For 94 minutes, we managed to stay organised. Of course, at one moment or another, we may have lacked a little maturity, but it’s only by playing matches like these that we can grow from these experiences." Marisa Gomes, Portugal coach

"We’re pleased, especially because this is our first FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup and we were up against the reigning world champions. We’re very happy with the way we went toe-to-toe with them. We never allowed ourselves to be intimidated. Our message is that it doesn’t end here; this is only the beginning. It was our first match, and we’re going to keep growing as a group." Marta Gago, Portugal midfielder

"Obviously, we’re disappointed with the result, but we leave with our heads held high because of everything we did here today. Now our focus is already on the next match. It’s up to us to analyse what we did. Hearing the Portuguese anthem in a World Cup was a very special moment for all of us. It’s a wonderful experience for us and a huge privilege." Ines Meninas, Portugal defender

Costa Rica 1-3 Colombia

Costa Rica goal: Sheika Scott (6) Colombia goals: Maria Viafara pen (26), Mariana Silva (56), Catalina Cortes (80) Visa Player of the Match: Maria Viafara (Colombia)

Colombia rallied from an early deficit to down Costa Rica. Las Ticas could not have asked for a better start, as a ball looped in by Samantha Pitty bounced over the head of Colombia goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo, allowing Sheika Scott to swoop in and score.

A video review for a Costa Rica foul in the area led to a spot-kick and conversion from Colombia's Maria Viafara. The South Americans then took the lead for good when Mariana Silva’s header spun off the fingertips of goalkeeper Ashley Quesada and Silva followed up to nudge it over the line.

Seconds after coming on as a substitute, Catalina Cortes nodded home a header to make it three. Colombia nearly had four but were denied when Quesada saved Juana Ortegon’s late penalty.

"It was a good first half. The match went exactly as we’d planned at the start. After that, we made mistakes that aren’t allowed in a World Cup. I spoke to the girls about the importance of the finer details, because in a World Cup, the team that makes the fewest mistakes wins. Now we need to focus on the next two matches to pick up points and aim to progress from the group stage.

"The match against DPR Korea will be very difficult. If we improve on the finer points, I believe we can hold our own. We played well today, and it was the small lapses in concentration that made the difference. We must be responsible and avoid the mistakes we made today. We need to put this behind us, bearing in mind the matches we have ahead of us". Ana Aguilar, Costa Rica coach

"I think we played very well in the first half but we paid the price for a few lapses in concentration. I’m very happy with my first World Cup goal. Now, though, we need to focus on the next match." Sheika Scott, Costa Rica goalscorer

"I’m very happy for the result. It was a tricky match but we responded very well. I’m particularly pleased with the commitment shown by the team in this match. I’m sorry I didn’t score the penalty, but the important thing was to secure the three points through character and determination. And that’s what defines us". Juana Ortegon, Colombia captain

"I’m really happy for the win, with scoring the equaliser tonight, helping my team and to have been named player of the match. I dedicate this to my family. We did very well to stay focused and achieve the result we wanted". Maria Viafara, Colombia goalscorer

Group F

New Caledonia 0-5 China PR

China PR goals: Yafei Xiao (46), Huang Jiaxin (71, 80 & 83), Xinyi Zhou (73) Visa Player of the Match: Huang Jiaxin (China PR)

Huang Jiaxin scored a devastating 12-minute hat-trick as China PR stepped up a gear in the second half to break a brave resistance from New Caledonia. The Asian side also had Chen Ruilin to thank for the victory, with the half-time substitute assisting three out of her side's five goals.

Goalkeeper Elizabeth Aben kept the debutants in the game in the opening half by putting in an inspired performance to keep the game scoreless. After wasting a number of chances, China PR opened the deadlock just 23 seconds into the second half as Xiao Yafei converted a dangerous cross from Ruilin from close range.

China PR hit the woodwork twice before turning on the gas as Huang put in a clinical goalscoring display, with Zhou Xinyi also finding the target.

What they said...

"This is a first in the history of women’s football in New Caledonia. It’s a first for us to play in a World Cup. It allows us to gain experience, but also to find out what the highest level is all about. I come away from this match without regrets, but proud of the whole team and the staff." Elizabeth Aben, New Caledonia goalkeeper

"I told the girls before we went out onto the pitch that we had to give everything this afternoon, to play with our hearts. We knew it was going to be tough. I told them: 'If you do things together, I think we can reduce the gap in levels.' But in any case, we expected it, and we’re still happy to come away with a 5-0 defeat." Leon Waitronyie, New Caledonia head coach

"During half-time we brought on two forward players because in the first half we were in a little bit in a hurry. But in the second half we followed our strategy to follow our target for victory. I happy for [Huang and Chen] to express their strengths. In the next match we will face Nigeria and we will try to express our speed to win the match."  Wang Jun, China PR coach

"I am very excited to help the team win the match. It is an honour to be top of the goalscoring standings and I am very happy to be the first player to score a hat-trick in this competition. Of course [I would like to win the Golden Boot award]. We now need to focus on our next match against Nigeria, which will be a tough game." Huang Jiaxin, China PR goalscorer

"I am very happy and honoured to have three assists after I entered the field as they helped our team win the match and we can create advantage of goal difference in the group. We will 100 per cent fight for each game in the group stage, this is our priority and then we will see how far we can move forward." Chen Ruilin, China PR midfielder

Spain 2-0 Nigeria

Spain goals: Marisa Garcia (13), Alba Cerrato (73) Visa Player of the Match: Rosalia Dominguez (Spain)

2022 winners Spain got off to a winning start with a solid performance against Nigeria. Spain broke the deadlock through forward Marisa Garcia following clever work by Noe Bejarano.

Alba Cerrato made an instant impact for the Europeans, scoring just seven minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute. Cerrato, who won a runners-up medal with La Rojita at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™, struck a neat left-footed strike to seal the three points. Nigeria's best chance came seven minutes from time, when Precious Oscar struck just wide from 10 yards.

What they said...

"I am very happy to have been able to help the team by scoring a goal. It is very special for me to score at a World Cup. I am already thinking about the next match now and hoping there will be more to come. I always try to give my best for the team and contribute as much as possible. Above all, I try to do what the coach asks of me and whatever is best for the team and for each individual match. From there, I want to enjoy the experience and have the best tournament possible." Marisa Garcia, Spain striker

"It is the best way to start a tournament. We were facing a very difficult opponent who did not make things easy for us, but we are leaving with a positive feeling and ready for the next match. Every opponent demands something different from you. We were clear about what we needed to do at every stage of the match, and we executed it very well. We are very pleased with the result. Our objective from the start is obviously to keep a clean sheet, keep the opposition as far away from our goal as possible, continue achieving positive results and keep winning matches." Silvia Cristobal, Spain defender

"We are very pleased. Winning the first match at a tournament of this level is always positive because it means that your destiny remains in your own hands going into the following games. It was a very difficult match. We knew Nigeria would make things extremely difficult for us because they have tremendous physical potential, and we knew it was going to be demanding. I think we made an enormous effort and deserved to win." David Aznar, Spain coach

"We did not come to the party today, we did not play. But all the same we have two more games to play, we will get it right. Of course, we are going to go through [to the knockout rounds]. I am confident. We did not play today." Moses Aduku, Nigeria coach