Winger Luis Diaz scores a aim and units up one other, as Colombia make a successful return to the FIFA World Cup after lacking the final version.
Printed On 18 Jun 2026
Colombia opened their World Cup Group Okay marketing campaign with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan on the Estadio Azteca on Wednesday, as Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz and Jaminton Campaz struck to beat a spirited second-half response from the match debutants.
Uzbekistan had been disciplined for lengthy durations underneath their Italian coach Fabio Cannavaro, however Colombia’s better high quality stood out in entrance of a crowd of over 80,000 on a cool, rain-tinged night in Mexico Metropolis.
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Colombia, the Copa America runners-up, had early sights of aim via Jhon Arias and James Rodriguez, however Uzbekistan sat deep, scrapped gamely and waited for errors. Bekhruz Karimov virtually profited when he burst ahead, just for Jhon Lucumi to intervene earlier than he might shoot.
Diaz had the clearest probability of the opening half when he struck the put up, earlier than Abdukodir Khusanov slid in after the winger had knocked the ball previous him, taking out each the Colombian participant and a pitchside cameraman who required medical therapy.
Uzbekistan’s resistance lastly cracked within the fortieth minute. Diaz gathered the ball after an assault had damaged down and clipped a fantastic cross into the trail of Munoz, who guided dwelling a neat end for his third worldwide aim.
The big Colombian contingent erupted, their yellow shirts making the Azteca look and sound virtually like dwelling. Chants of “Vamos Colombia”, tailored from a Membership America-style refrain, rolled across the floor, whereas Uzbekistan’s small band of supporters answered with drums of their very own.
Fayzullaev scores Uzbekistan’s maiden World Cup aim
Uzbekistan improved after the break and equalised on the hour with the nation’s first World Cup aim.
Dostonbek Khamdamov fed Eldor Shomurodov, whose shot from the best facet of the field was saved low by Camilo Vargas. The goalkeeper couldn’t maintain it, nonetheless, and Abbosbek Fayzullaev nodded within the rebound from shut vary.
Nonetheless, Uzbekistan’s pleasure lasted solely 5 minutes.
Gustavo Puerta launched Diaz within the sixty fifth minute, and the ahead side-footed throughout aim to revive Colombia’s lead. The gang responded with chants of “Lucho, Lucho”.
Uzbekistan stored pushing. Akmal Mozgovoy shot narrowly off goal in stoppage time, Karimov hit the bar with an effort from distance, and Azizbek Amonov had a shot blocked after Otabek Shukurov’s cross.
However Colombia had the ultimate phrase, Campaz scoring within the ninth minute of stoppage time to settle a contest through which Nestor Lorenzo’s facet had 15 makes an attempt to Uzbekistan’s 9, and prolonged their sturdy latest group-stage report to seven wins in eight World Cup matches.
Colombia face DR Congo on Tuesday in Guadalajara, after Uzbekistan play Portugal on the identical day in Houston.
The FIFA World Cup begins on June 11. You may observe the motion on Al Jazeera’s devoted World Cup 2026 web page with all the newest information, match build-up and dwell textual content commentary, and hold updated with group standings, real-time match outcomes and schedules.
