Ghana’s Black Princesses bounced back emphatically from their opening-day ignition failure against Ecuador, sweeping aside South Korea 3-1 on Wednesday to breathe new life into their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 campaign.
After struggling to get going in their first Group D outing, Charles Sampson’s side produced the response they desperately needed at Arena Sosnowiec, turning a goalless first half into an explosive second-half performance built around three goals of contrasting quality.
Captain Sarah Nyarko broke the deadlock with a stunning long-range strike in the 52nd minute before Ivy Osei Owusu doubled Ghana’s advantage just three minutes later with an audacious individual finish.
Substitute Ruth Amponsah then completed an impressive afternoon with Ghana’s third goal in the 84th minute, rendering South Korea’s consolation in added time little more than a footnote.
More importantly, the 3-1 victory delivered Ghana’s first points of the tournament and restored belief ahead of their decisive final Group D encounter against France on September 12.
It was precisely the reaction the Ghanaian gaffer demanded after the disappointment against Ecuador. Ghana began with considerably more purpose, pressing for the initiative and creating an early opportunity through Guangdong Meizhou Women forward Agnes Yeboah. Her effort, however, was pushed to safety by the South Korean goalkeeper.
The Princesses continued to probe and looked the more threatening side as they chased the breakthrough, but their pressure failed to produce a goal before the interval.
Whatever Sampson said at half-time had the desired effect. Seven minutes after the restart, Nyarko took responsibility and transformed the contest with a spectacular strike from distance. The Ghana captain found the space to unleash an effort that beat the goalkeeper and finally rewarded the Princesses for their attacking intent.
South Korea had barely recovered when Ghana struck again.
In the 55th minute, Osei Owusu surged down the right flank and produced a moment of individual quality, completing her solo run with a delicate chip over the advancing goalkeeper to put Ghana firmly in control.
The quick-fire double changed the complexion of the match. Ghana could now dictate the tempo rather than chase the game, while South Korea were forced to take greater risks in search of a route back.
Sampson’s side managed that phase intelligently, keeping their opponents largely at bay while retaining enough attacking ambition to threaten a third.
That killer blow arrived six minutes from time. A flowing Ghana move beginning from the centre-half carved open the South Korean defence before substitute Amponsah applied the finish in the 84th minute, stretching the lead to 3-0 and effectively settling the contest.
South Korea eventually found a way through in added time, denying Ghana a clean sheet, but it could not take the gloss off a convincing recovery by the Princesses.
Sampson had made two changes to his starting XI for the crucial second group fixture, with Precious Akanguwie handed the goalkeeping duties.
Diana Amoako, Juliana Gyekyewaa, Alexandra Tay and first-time starter Salma Naazo formed the defensive unit, while Esther Asamoah, Latifa Musah, Osei Owusu and skipper Nyarko operated in midfield.
Yeboah and Priscilla Mensah spearheaded the attack as Ghana went searching for the victory required to revive their tournament.
They delivered. For a side that failed to ignite against Ecuador, the transformation after half-time against South Korea was particularly significant. Three goals in 32 minutes showcased the attacking quality Ghana had been unable to translate into tangible reward in their opening match.
Yet the job is far from complete. The Black Princesses must now turn their attention to France on September 12, when their World Cup ambitions will face another searching examination.
After the false start against Ecuador, Ghana have finally found their spark. Against France, they must prove they can keep the fire burning.
