Laia Lopez: from World Cup dream to Golden Glove glory

In January 2013, Laia Lopez celebrated her sixth birthday wearing a Spain shirt emblazoned with the words “world champions”. It was a reference to the men's FIFA World Cup™ triumph in 2010, but she also had a goal of capturing global glory.

On Sunday in Lodz, she did just that. Lopez played a starring role as Spain beat DPR Korea on penalties in the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup final.

She saved two spot-kicks in the shootout, having earlier made several fine stops as the game ended goalless after extra-time.

Her performances throughout the competition, meanwhile, were recognised with the adidas Golden Glove award.

“I remember that little girl with so many dreams to fulfil," said Lopez. "And this was one of them: to become a world champion. So much has happened since I was that six-year-old girl.

One of those things happened almost two years ago, on 3 November 2024. That day, at the age of 17, Lopez came close to fulfilling her dream for the first time. She was part of the Spain side that came up against DPR Korea in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™. After a 1-1 draw, however, Spain were beaten on penalties.

After that match, the goalkeeper posted a carousel of photographs on Instagram. In one, she can be seen being embraced and consoled by a team-mate after the final defeat. Another showed a page from a book that read: “Nothing ever happens by chance. Everything happens for (and because of) something.” The final image was that photograph from her sixth birthday.

“Little Laia has a dream and she won't stop until she fulfils it,” the goalkeeper wrote in the caption.

More than a promise, it was also a commitment to herself and a message to the world. She ended the post: “Everything happens for a reason and that is just one more reason to keep growing and improving.”

That promise survived the almost two years that followed. When Lopez reached the final of the U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland, the opponents were once again DPR Korea. And in the days leading up to the showpiece match, the little girl in that photograph was never far from her thoughts.

"I remember that post very clearly because it was a very tough moment. It is true that you finish as World Cup runners-up, but it leaves a bitter taste. Before going out on to the pitch, I kept telling myself to do it for her [the little girl]. It is a dream to be here.”

This time, Lopez was determined to do everything she could to make sure she was on the winning side – and the Spanish goalkeeper was one of those responsible for ensuring the story ended differently.

Alongside her gold medal, Laia left the tournament with the adidas Golden Glove after conceding just one goal in seven matches. The only team to breach her defences were China PR, in Spain's 3-1 group-stage victory.

“When I set my mind to something, I go after it until the very end," she said. "The team did an incredible job throughout the tournament. Football owed us one, as I wrote in that post, and I don't think there was a better way to win than this.”

Even the words Lopez wrote back in 2024 took on a new meaning in Lodz. At the time, saying that “everything happens for a reason” could have been a way of looking ahead and overcoming defeat. Now, the goalkeeper can look back and smile.

“As I said in that post, everything happens for a reason. If life didn't want us to win the U-17 World Cup, I believe it was because something even better was waiting for us. The work doesn't stop; we're looking ahead. I'm very proud of the team and we're very happy."

The celebrations may well become etched into her skin. During the tournament, Lopez made herself a promise to get a tattoo if she became a world champion – although she admitted with a laugh that she would have to negotiate the idea with her parents first to avoid being “kicked out of the house”. The design has yet to be decided; she would like something that represents the unity of the squad.

“We are more than a team, we are a family," she said. "More than team-mates, we are friends. We have built great friendships and that also came across on the pitch."

At 19, she also bids farewell to Spain's youth set-up. Her next objectives have yet to be decided, but the girl who dreamed of winning a World Cup can now serve as an inspiration to others beginning to imagine their own stories.

“Dream. Dream big. If you put a dream in your head and go after it, it really can come true. All with hard work, training and sacrifice. If you really love something, go after it."

And that six-year-old girl who dreamed of becoming a world champion?

“I never forget her,” the goalkeeper concluded.