Luis Diaz dazzles as Colombia beat World Cup 2026 debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 | World Cup 2026 News
Colombia Defeats Uzbekistan in World Cup Opener
Colombia marked its return to the FIFA World Cup by securing a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in their Group K match on June 18 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The win comes after Colombia’s absence from the tournament in 2022.
Winger Luis Diaz played a pivotal role, scoring one goal and assisting another, as his team faced a determined Uzbek side. The match featured a crowd of over 80,000, with conditions marked by cool temperatures and intermittent rain.
Colombia, which was the runner-up in the recent Copa América, had early scoring opportunities through players Jhon Arias and James Rodriguez. Uzbekistan, led by coach Fabio Cannavaro, displayed commendable discipline and resilience, especially in their defensive efforts.
The opening half presented a tense atmosphere, with Diaz nearly scoring when he struck the post. The match took a turn in the 40th minute when Diaz delivered a precise pass to Daniel Munoz, who slotted home, giving Colombia a 1-0 lead. Celebrations erupted among the Colombian fans in attendance, who filled the stadium with chants of support.
The second half saw Uzbekistan equalize in the 60th minute, marking a historic moment as Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal. After a save from Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, Fayzullaev capitalized on the rebound to bring the score to 1-1.
However, the lead was short-lived as Gustavo Puerta set up Diaz, allowing him to regain the advantage for Colombia in the 65th minute. The Colombian crowd reacted jubilantly, chanting his name.
Despite continued pressure from Uzbekistan—who saw near misses from Akmal Mozgovoy and Bekhruz Karimov—Colombia sealed the win when Jaminton Campaz scored in stoppage time, extending their record in World Cup group matches to seven wins from eight.
Colombia will face DR Congo in their next match on June 20, while Uzbekistan prepares to take on Portugal on the same day.
For ongoing coverage of the FIFA World Cup, visit Al Jazeera’s dedicated World Cup 2026 page for the latest news, match updates, and schedules.
