The group stage of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup expanded into Groups E and F on Matchday 3.

Day three belonged to the tournament favourites, with reigning champions DPR Korea starting their title defence in clinical fashion, European champions Spain earning a crucial victory, and China staging an attacking clinic.

Here is the complete recap from Striver.Football of how the action unfolded across all four fixtures.

Group E: DPR Korea Begin Title Defence as Colombia Beat Costa Rica

DPR Korea 2-0 Portugal

Defending champions DPR Korea showed exactly why they remain favored to retain their crown, dispatching tournament debutants Portugal 2-0 thanks to a brace by Ryu Mi Kang.

The Asian powerhouses set the tempo early, establishing a relentless high press that suffocated the Portuguese midfield. 

A clinical first-half penalty by Ryu Mi Kang broke the deadlock before completing her brace in the second half to  put the result beyond doubt. Portugal fought defensively in the closing stages but failed to threaten the holders, leaving North Korea joint-top of Group E.

Colombia 3-1 Costa Rica

Colombia kicked off their campaign with an energetic 3-1 victory over Costa Rica, showcasing sharp combination play from the opening whistle.

Although Sheika Scott put Costa Rica into an early lead in the sixth minute, Colombia still had enough to slice open their defense on multiple occasions through technical superiority.

Fernanda Viafara equalised for the South Americans through a penalty in the 26th minute, before Mariana Silva and Catalina Cortes scored the second and third respectively to hand them all three points.

Group F: China Hit Five as Spain Beat Nigeria

New Caledonia 0-5 China

Oceania debutants New Caledonia produced a disciplined low block under coach Leo Waitronye, frustrating China to keep the match scoreless at half-time behind heroic goalkeeping from Elizabeth Aben. 

However, the half-time introduction of substitute Chen Ruilin turned the match on its head. Xiao Yafei opened the scoring just 23 seconds into the second half off a dangerous cross from Chen Ruilin.

Substitute Huang Jiaxin then struck a hat-trick in 12 minutes, with Chen Ruilin providing the service while Zhou Xinyi tapped home in the midst of the scoring blitz.

Chen Ruilin finished with four assists after coming off the bench, sending China to the top of Group F on goal difference.

Spain 2-0 Nigeria

In the marquee fixture of Matchday Three, champions Spain produced a controlled performance to earn a 2-0 victory over West African powerhouses Nigeria.

La Rojita controlled possession from the outset, dictating the tempo and restricting Nigeria's Falconets to sporadic counter-attacking forays.

Spain’s early dominance paid off in the 13th minute when Marisa Garcia found space inside the box to fire past Nigerian goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma.

Nigeria displayed grit and physical determination to stay within striking distance before halftime, fending off wave after wave of Spanish pressure. 

However, Spain sealed all three points 17 minutes from time when substitute Alba Cerrato unleashed a sharp finish in the 73rd minute. Spain now turn their attention to debutants New Caledonia, while Nigeria face a crucial bounce-back clash against China PR on Thursday.

Matchday Three by the Numbers

14 - Total goals scored across the four fixtures in Groups E and F.

5 - Goals scored by China in their victory over New Caledonia, the highest single-match tally of the tournament so far.

0 - Shots on target conceded by DPR Korea in their 2-0 win over Portugal.

3 - Goals scored by Colombia as they joined North Korea on three points at the top of Group E.