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Group E: DPR Korea 4-0 Costa Rica
Lodz: DPR Korea booked their place in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 knockout stage after defeating Costa Rica 4-0 on Thursday.
The reigning champions produced a dominant victory over ten-player Costa Rica to earn their second win in Group E which confirmed their spot in the Round of 16.

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DPR Korea looked to have taken an early lead when Kang Ryu Mi tapped home from a corner, but a VAR review confirmed she had strayed into an offside position.
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Han Chol Hak's side continued to dominate and got the breakthrough soon after, with neat interplay leading to captain Pak Ok I squirming a shot under goalkeeper Ashley Quesada from just inside the box in the 26th minute.

Samantha Pitty was then sent off for a deliberate handball in the area right on the stroke of half-time. Pak stepped up to take the resulting spot-kick, but was foiled by a superb Quesada save.
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Chon Yon A doubled DPR Korea's lead 10 minutes after the break with a well-placed header, before the No10 added a third through an 87th minute penalty after she was hauled down in the area by Fabiana Alfaro.

Further gloss was added to the scoreline as Ho Kyong put the finishing touch on a flowing move with an inch-perfect curler in stoppage time.

Photos: FIFA via Getty Images