North Korea U20 secure victory over Portugal in World Cup opener
North Korea U20 beat Portugal 2-0 in their opening Group Stage match at the Women's Under-20 World Cup on Sunday. Kang Ryu-Mi scored both goals to end a barren spell for the hosts, who dominated proceedings from the opening whistle. Portugal had an early chance dismissed, with E. Cancelinha's effort ruled offside after VAR review in the third minute. and here's the thing — that moment set the tone for what followed.
The breakthrough came in the twenty-fifth minute when Kang Ryu-Mi converted from the penalty spot. Portugal had been pushing forward, but came for a cross he never reached, leaving them exposed at the back. By then, North Korea had dug in defensively and were looking to punish any mistakes. The visitors tried to respond, but their best opportunity had already been taken away.
Kang Ryu-Mi completed her brace in the fiftieth minute, handed a debut that few expected. She had already made her mark earlier, and now she was the one who got over the line again. Portugal made changes at half-time, bringing on M. Correia in an attempt to shift momentum. It didn't work, and the match slipped away from them.
Both sides made several substitutions in the second half. North Korea brought on So Ryu-Gyong and Pak Ok-I in the fifty-eighth minute, followed by Choe Rim-Jong and Choe Chong-Gum in the sixty-seventh. Portugal responded with three changes in the seventy-sixth minute, including J. Valente, C. Simoes and M. Mariano. The Portuguese coach reached for his pocket after the break, but the deeper squad didn't make enough difference.
Discipline was a factor toward the end. M. Mariano picked up a yellow card in the fifty-ninth minute, while R. Cunha was booked in the seventy-seventh. Pak Il-Sim received a caution in stoppage time, and North Korea saw out the final minutes comfortably. The pitch cut up badly as the game progressed, but neither side could find a way through.
North Korea now sit top of the table with three points from one game. Portugal are in second place, also with one match played, but still waiting for their first point. The gap between them is clear — three points, and a goal difference of two to nothing.
