The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Costa Rica 2022™ final took place at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica on Sunday 28 August.

The final featured the same two countries who fought in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup France 2018™ final, as the defending champions U-20 Japan Women's National Team once again squared off against the U-20 Spain Women's National Team for the world title. The match was also a rematch between coach IKEDA Futoshi and coach Pedro LOPEZ, who both led their teams to the final in back-to-back World Cups.

Furthermore, the two countries also played each other in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Costa Rica 2014™ final, in which Japan won 2-0, at the very same venue. Japan went into the match against their arch-rivals, with whom they have competed since the development ages, seeking to become the first country in FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup™ history to win the tournament twice in a row. The match kicked-off at 8pm in front of a sell-out crowd of 29,891.

Japan, who fielded the same line-up against Brazil in the semi-finals, had to withstand Spain's intense pressure from the outset. Facing the Spanish side who effectively utilised the width of the pitch to keep the ball moving, Japan struggled to win the ball. The opening goal came in the 12th minute, when Spain’s Inma GABARRO, who has entered this match with seven goals under her name, responded to a lobbing pass delivered into the Japanese penalty area, superbly controlled the ball with her chest and slotted the ball into the corner of the goal. Gaining momentum from the opening goal, Spain doubled their lead with another ball delivered behind the Japanese defence line, this time scored by Salma PARALLUELO in the 22nd minute.

A close opportunity was created by Japan in the 24th minute, when HAMANO Maika responded to OYAMA Aemu’s pass to strike a shot, but her attempt was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Txell FONT. A minute later, a shot taken by Paralluelo struck the hand of IWASAKI Kokona inside the box, giving Spain a penalty kick. It was Paralluelo who stepped up, as the striker calmly converted the spot kick to extend the Spanish lead.

In efforts to change the dynamics of the match, Japan shifted their formation from a three-back to a four-back formation. In the 31st minute, Hamano delivered a spectacular through ball that allowed SUGISAWA Mihoshi to break into the box and fire a shot, but her attempt went wide of the target. Another close opportunity was created in the 39th minute, when TABATA Haruna connected with an early cross delivered by YAMAMOTO Yuzuki, but her shot went straight to Font, who parried the ball out of bounds.

Trailing by three goals, coach Ikeda introduced AMANO Suzu and MATSUKUBO Manaka to start the second half, which led to Japan’s 47th minute goal. The goal came from a designed play executed from a free kick won in the right side, which was ultimately converted by Amano.

Japan continued to create chances in the second half but couldn’t find ways to break down the Spanish side, who effectively utilised their substitutions to defend their lead. Despite their final efforts to rally back, Japan fell short from scoring a goal, as Spain claimed their first ever FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup™ title with a 3-1 victory over Japan.

At the awards ceremony, Hamano, who scored four goals in the tournament, won the Golden Ball for the best player of the tournament and the Silver Boot, while Yamamoto, who scored three goals, won the Bronze Boot.

Coach and Players' Comments

IKEDA Futoshi, Head Coach of U-20 Japan Women's National Team
Of course, we were conscious of our opponents’ runs, but the fact that we conceded multiple goals before we were able to settle into the game really hurt us. We made some changes during the first half and tried to put pressure on the flanks, while also changing the way we moved the ball in the midfield. These adjustments allowed us to slow down our opponents and create chances in the attacking third. The fact that we were able to score a goal from a designed set-piece we had prepared for this match gave us lots of confidence. The players gave their very best and fought with great aggression until the end. I hope that each and every one of our players will make the most of this experience to become a better player. I would be happy if we were able to convey the excitement of women's football to the many people who watched this match.

DF #3 NAGAE Ibuki (AC Nagano Parceiro Ladies)
I had the impression that Spain entered this match in great form, both as a team and as individuals. We were overwhelmed at the beginning of the match because Spain came out applying pressure in a way we were not expecting. We were able to pick up our pace once we shifted our system to a four-back formation, but we simply lacked composure to make the adjustments in the early going. I feel like we were able to display our skills, endurance, and never-give-up spirit, but there were also many aspects we were lacking in order to compete at the world stage. I will not forget this experience and continue to strive to improve myself at the WE League.

DF #7 SUGISAWA Mihoshi (Omiya Ardija VENTUS)
Having played against Spain again, it reminded me how good they are. They are highly skilled at the individual level while also capable of moving the ball with great efficiency as a team, which made it very difficult for us to win the ball. If we could respond quicker as individuals and improve the way we played defence after conceding a goal, we might have been able to limit the damage and find our rhythm quicker than we did today. Through these six matches, I was able to experience the world’s top speed in first-hand, and also learn the things that went well and the areas I need to improve in order to compete at the world stage. It reminded me that I need to become a player that can singlehandedly create chances for the team, in order to become a member of the Nadeshiko Japan. I hope to work on my offensive skills once I return to the WE League.

MF #15 AMANO Suzu (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
Watching the first half from the bench, I was able to see how well we were playing when we kept moving the ball with pace, but also how we were losing possession of the ball when we lacked quality in our ball touches or when we weren’t providing enough support, so I made conscious efforts to win the second balls and provide support for my teammates when I entered the match in the second half. I was confident that we could come from behind in the second half, and I think that kind of positive attitude led to that goal. Spain really made us chase the ball with their quick ball movements and played with great intensity in front of the goal at both ends. I feel like we were able to execute our football style, but we didn’t have what it takes to win the match against Spain. I am still eligible to play for the next U-20 Women’s World Cup, but I hope to earn my spot on the Nadeshiko Japan by producing results at my club.

FW #9 YAMAMOTO Yuzuki (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza)
It felt like Spain played the football style we were striving for at the beginning of the match and overwhelmed us with their aggression. Once we regained our rhythm in the second half, I was given more opportunities to touch the ball, and I think the match would have been closer if we played liked that from the start. I am flattered to receive the award, but I would like to thank my teammates, because we have fought through this tournament as a team. I will use this bitter experience as motivation to thrive at the WE League, so that I can earn my spot in the Nadeshiko Japan.

FW #11 HAMANO Maika (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
We really struggled to find our rhythm but managed to gradually pickup the pace in the second half. Knowing how hard our defence were playing, I wish the offence, including myself, could have converted the chances we had. During halftime, we kept telling each other that we needed to step up our game for our fans and supporters. Playing in front of a crowd of nearly 30,000 people on the stage of the World Cup, I didn’t feel tired at all because of the adrenaline rush. I will not forget this bitterness and train with the determination to make my return to the world stage again.

FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Costa Rica 2022™

Tournament Dates: Wed. 10 - Sun. 28 August 2022

Group Stage
1st Match: Thu. 11 August 14:00 vs U-20 Netherlands Women's National Team
2nd Match: Sun. 14 August 11:00 vs U-20 Ghana Women's National Team
3rd Match: Wed. 17 August 17:00 vs U-20 USA Women's National Team
Knockout Stage
Quarterfinals: Sun. 21 August 20:00 vs U-20 France Women’s National Team
Semi-finals: Thu. 25 August 20:00 vs U-20 Brazil Women’s National Team
Final: Sun. 28 August 20:00 vs U-20 Spain Women’s National Team
*Time shown in local time

Tournament Information