Australia, drawn in Group A, exited the tournament after three defeats while Korea Republic advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams from Group D.

Japan, the 2018 champions, and two-time winners DPR Korea topped Groups E and F respectively with three wins.

Korea Republic's run came to a halt following a 1-0 defeat to Colombia.

DPR Korea cruised 5-2 past Austria while Japan produced a gritty performance to edge Nigeria 2-1.

Next up for DPR Korea were Brazil with the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2024 champions showing tremendous resolve to edge the South American side 1-0.

Japan were even more resilient, ending two-time champions Spain's reign with a 1-0 victory in extra time.

Choe Il Son was DPR Korea's matchwinner in the semi-final against the United States, scoring the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute.

Manaka Matsukubo struck twice in the second half as Japan advanced to their third consecutive final with a 2-0 win against the Netherlands.

The tournament decider was a repeat of the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024 final, which DPR Korea won 2-1.

Ri Song Ho’s side started on the front foot, suffocating Japan with their relentless pressure, dizzying movement off the ball and surgical counters.

At the heart of much of the Koreans' best work, once again, was Choe.

The 17-year-old - who won the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards - forced a smart save from Akane Okuma in the fifth minute before handing her nation the lead on the quarter-hour mark with a solo goal of the highest order.

Picking up the ball on Japan’s left, she eased past a baffled Rio Sasaki, surged into the box, twisted Aemu Oyama inside-out and sent home a shot that arrowed between a trio of Japanese defenders, brushed off the head of Uno Shiragaki and flew into the net.

The Young Nadeshiko struggled to find a way to play through the Korean press and were often left to resort to hopeful, long-range efforts with one of those, from Manaka Matsukubo, sailing harmlessly over the bar as the first half came to a close.

DPR Korea continued to set the tempo after the restart, both Sin Hyang and Choe sending efforts over the bar before Japan, in the 82nd minute, finally had their first shot on target.

Shinomi Koyama’s strike though was a tame one, easily dealt with by Chae Un Gyong as the match wore down to an outcome it always seemed destined for; DPR Korea, the dominant nation at Colombia 2024, now three-time champions alongside Germany and the United States.