Santiago Denia chose not to make changes to the team that thrashed Niger a few days ago as Abel Ruiz continued to lead the line up front with the support of Ferran Torres and Sergio Gomez from the flanks. The impressive Cesar Gelabert also stayed in the starting lineup and was fielded behind the striker.
Yun Min, Nam Hyok and Cha Kwang lead the attack for Korea in a lineup that signalled at a more organized tactical approach by coach Yong Su.
Spain broke the deadlock as early as the fourth minute when Cesar Gelabert slid the ball into the path of Mohamed Moukhliss, who had made a fabulous run into the box from midfield. A sleek finish on the end of a beautiful passing move resulted in the score-line reading 1-0.
Spain carved the Korean defence open at will and on one such opportunity in the twentieth minute, the impressive Juan Miranda beat his marker and delivered a dangerous cross which Gelabert slashed wide of goal.
Cesar Gelabert had another golden chance in the 34th minute when Abel Ruiz produced a clever backheel flick to caress the ball into his path but his shot curved away from the goal. DPR Korea wasn't finding it easy against the Spanish finesse, a point that was further stressed when Ferran Torres' curled effort hit the post at the stroke of half-time.
The Spanish troops maintained their tempo even after the restart as the Chollima found it difficult to gain a foothold in the game.
Ten minutes into the second half, the brilliant Cesar Gelabert played a neat give-and-go with Ferran Torres and sent his shot inches over the bar. Juan Miranda did even better three minutes later when he marauded into the box to cannon the ball into the bar.
Abel Ruiz, who is known for his goal-scoring prowess, had the perfect opportunity to double his side's lead when Sergio Gomez delivered a delicious cross into the centre of the box in the 68th minute but the FC Barcelona player couldn't get his head onto the ball.
Going into the final quarter of the game with a one-goal lead was always going to be risky but Spain's dominance ensured that it didn't happen.
In the 71st minute, substitute Jose Lara, who had replaced Ferran Torres on the right flank only a few minutes earlier, accelerated past his full-back to put the ball on a plate for the ever-present Cesar Gelabert who blasted the ball into the centre of goal to leave the goalkeeper with no chance for a reflex save.
Spain passed it around with ease and saw the game out and it was made easy by Kwang Min who barged onto the back of his opponent and received his marching orders. A 10-man DPR Korea ended the game and their tournament without a single shot on target whereas Spain marched into the Round of 16 as the second-placed team in Group D behind Brazil.