Costa Rica falls to defeat against Korea DPR in Group E 

Costa Rica falls in their second U-20 Women’s World Cup Group E match.

LODZ, Poland – Costa Rica continued its 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign in Group E on Thursday against Korea DP, falling to a 4-nil final score at Stadion Miejski ŁKS Łódź in Lodz, Poland.

Korea DPR opened the scoring in the 26’, with Pak Ok-I finding the back of the net with an effort from the right end of the box.

Costa Rica was left a player down after Samantha Pitty was shown a red card in the 45’+2’ for a foul inside the box.

Costa Rica goalkeeper Ashley Quesada made an important save to deny the attempt from the penalty spot from Pak Ok-I in the 45+4’.

Choe Yon-a doubled the advantage for Korea DPR in the 55’ through a headed finish. Yon-a added a third for the Asian nation in the 85’ as she sealed her brace in the match.

Ho Kyong rounded out the result for the defending U-20 Women’s World Cup Champions with a strike in the 90+6’.

Costa Rica will return to action on Sunday in its third and final Group E fixture, when Las Ticas head to Arena Sosnowiec in Sosnowiec to face off against Portugal.

Post-Match Data

• This is the second time with Costa Rica facing an Asian opponent at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup; the previous encounter—also against DPR Korea—took place in 2024. They have faced only Colombia and France (twice each) as often in the competition, in which they have played 14 matches overall.
• Costa Rica improved their performance against defending champions DPR Korea compared to the previous edition of the U-20 Women's World Cup, conceding five fewer goals this time (4–0) than in 2024 (9–0).
• Costa Rica outperformed DPR Korea in interceptions (10–4), with Tiara Ruiz (4) and Marian Solano (3) standing out in this category.
• Ashley Quesada made seven saves against DPR Korea in this match—the second-highest tally by a Costa Rican goalkeeper in the competition since 2018 (Génesis Pérez made eight saves against Argentina in 2024).