PARIS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Hosts France recorded a comfortable 4-1 victory over Ghana on Sunday but DPR Korea were shocked 3-1 by England in their title defense opener.
The 2018 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup curtained up in Brittany, northwestern part of France.
France, finalists of the last edition, built a three-goal lead into the halftime through Emelyne Laurent's brace and Helene Fercocq's shot. Ghana pulled one back in the 58th minute. Sandy Baltimore capped the hosts' scoring extravaganza seven minutes into stoppage time.
The Netherlands witnessed the first ever victory at the U-20 Women's World Cup finals in their debut, as they overcame New Zealand 2-1 thanks to Eva van Deursen's winner in the 78th minute following a 1-1 draw at the break.
DPR Korea anticipated to become the first side to defend the tournament's title but they suffered a huge blow in the opening Group B match.
Alessia Russo became the hero for England with goal in each half of the match, and those were added by teammate Georgia Stanway's goal around the hour mark.
Substitute Ja Un-Yong's goal in the 71st minute was not sufficient to stop the defending champions sliding away.
In the other Group B match, regular faces Brazil had to swallow a 3-2 loss to Mexico as Jacqueline Ovalle's second-half brace fueled the latter to move through.
The two sides combined to score three goals in just 17 minutes. Mexican Katty Martinez netted the tournament's first goal just four minutes into the match, before Brazil made a strong comeback through a pair of goals from Kerolin Nicoli. However, Ovalle's heroic performance in the second half decided the match.
China, who recorded best result of runners-up in 2004 and 2006, will face debutants Haiti in Monday's Group D match.
FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup was founded in 2002 as the the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship, before the age limit has been raised to the current 20 since 2006. The event has been renamed as a World Cup since the 2008 competition.
The United States and Germany were the best teams with each winning three champions in previous eight editions, and current holders DPR Korea bagged it home twice.
Germany will take on Nigeria in the other Group D first-round match.
