| Six years on from their triumph at Canada 2002, USA defeated the reigning champions to take the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup crown, as well as the lion's share of individual and team accolades.
The North Americans downed Korea DPR 2-1 in the final at Chile 2008, an event where more goals have been scored than at any previous edition. The distinction of finishing third went to Germany, who defeated France in a pulsating encounter.
The final
Korea DPR 1-2 USA
Goals: Sydney Leroux 23, Alex Morgan 42 (USA); Cha Hu Nam 90+2 (Korea DPR).
The defending champions set out resolutely to hold onto their throne, to such an extent that the Americans were pinned back for the opening quarter of an hour. However, the deadly duo of Alex Morgan and Sydney Leroux both found the net to justify their individual awards and pave the way towards a gold-medal success for the Stars and Stripes.
Trailing by two goals, the Koreans proceeded to dictate the tempo and pile on the pressure in the second half, only for their attacks to founder against the steely USA backline. Alyssa Naeher, subsequently voted the tournament's best keeper, suffered a blot on her copybook when conceding her only goal of the competition in the dying moments of the game, though it was a case of too little too late for the Russia 2006 champions.
The match for third place
France 3-5 Germany
Goals: Marine Pervier 45+1, 75 and Marie-Laure Delie 90+2 (France); Marie Pollmann 10, 29 and 30, Julia Simic 67, Lisa Schwab 80 (Germany)
The match for third place turned out to be a veritable feast of attacking football. Once the dust had settled, Germany emerged victorious against a French team who overcame their clear disappointment at a last-gasp semi-final elimination to contribute fully to Chile 2008's highest-scoring match.
Germany's Marie Pollmann had cause for a double celebration after firing a first-half hat-trick. It was the only triple of the competition and a perfect response to heavy criticism received after the group defeat against Japan. Though unable to find the net herself, Nicole Banecki was a genuine livewire throughout in attack for the Mannschaft, and was directly involved in four of her side's five goals.
Les Bleuettes lacked the bite shown in their semi-final reverse against Korea DPR but played a full part in a highly enjoyable encounter. Meanwhile, star striker Marie-Laure Delie was able to cap her return from injury with a goal, a fitting end to a fine tournament from the French No9.
Source: fifa.com
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