Canada’s U-20 Women’s World Cup run ends with late loss to DPR Korea

Canada’s run at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup came to an end in the quarterfinals after two late goals sent defending champion DPR Korea through with a 2-0 victory on Sunday in Lodz, Poland.

Canada kept the match scoreless for 90 minutes at Stadion Miejski LKS Lodz, with goalkeeper Noelle Henning producing her best performance of the tournament. But Choe Rim Jong finally broke through in second-half stoppage time before Ho Kyong added another goal four minutes later.

The defeat leaves Canada with an overall record of two wins, one draw and two losses at the tournament, scoring 10 goals and conceding seven.

Canada holds defending champions scoreless into stoppage time

DPR Korea created the greater pressure, but Canada remained in the match behind Henning and its defensive work.

The first half ended without a goal, and the defending champions thought they had finally taken the lead in the 74th minute. Jon Il Chong headed home from a free kick, only for a VAR review to determine that the play was offside.

That decision kept Canada level and within one goal of reaching the semifinals.

Henning played a central role in keeping it that way. She finished with seven saves, the most by a Canadian goalkeeper at this year’s U-20 Women’s World Cup, along with a positive goals-prevented figure of 0.34.

The performance was also Henning’s highest single-game save total across her seven appearances at the last two editions of the tournament.

DPR Korea eventually found the breakthrough in the 92nd minute. Choe Rim Jong struck with her left foot from outside the penalty area to give the defending champions a 1-0 lead.

With Canada needing to push forward in the remaining minutes, Ho Kyong scored from inside the area in the 96th to secure DPR Korea’s place in the semifinals.

Chukwu and Hunter lead Canadian attack in Poland

Canada generated four shots in the quarterfinal, with Annabelle Chukwu responsible for two of them.

Chukwu finished the World Cup with 14 attempts and three goals. Only Kaylee Hunter produced more shots for Canada during the competition, recording 16 attempts and a team-high four goals, although she did not register a shot against DPR Korea.

Jeneva Gray was also among Canada’s most consistent defensive contributors. Her nine possession recoveries Sunday increased her tournament total to 36, leaving her level with Olivia Chisholm for the most by a Canadian player.

Canada had enjoyed more possession than its opponent in each of its previous four matches at the tournament, with the quarterfinal against DPR Korea the lone exception.

The Canadians leave Poland having reached the final eight while producing 10 goals across five matches.

Their tournament ultimately ended within minutes of a potential semifinal appearance. After keeping the reigning champions off the scoresheet throughout regulation, two stoppage-time goals brought Canada’s 2026 U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign to a close.