Colombia began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan on the evening of June 17 (local time) at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. Goals from Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz, and Jaminton Campaz saw the South Americans overcome a determined debutant opponent.
Uzbekistan, managed by Italian coach Fabio Cannavaro, played disciplined football for long stretches, but Colombia's class shone through in front of over 80,000 fans on a cool, drizzly night.
The Copa America runners-up created early chances through Jhon Arias and James Rodriguez. Uzbekistan sat deep, contested fiercely, and waited for mistakes. Bekhruz Karimov nearly broke through, but Jhon Lucumi intervened in time.
Luis Diaz had the clearest chance of the first half, hitting the post. Later, Abdukodir Khusanov fouled Diaz in an incident that left the Colombian and a cameraman needing medical attention.
Uzbekistan's resistance was broken in the 40th minute. Diaz collected the ball after a failed attack and played a delicate pass to Munoz, who finished neatly for his third international goal.
After the break, Uzbekistan improved and equalized in the 60th minute with a historic goal — the country's first ever at a World Cup. Dostonbek Khamdamov fed Eldor Shomurodov, whose shot from the right was saved by Camilo Vargas, but Abbosbek Fayzullaev tapped in the rebound to make it 1-1.
Uzbekistan's joy lasted only five minutes. In the 65th, Gustavo Puerta passed to Diaz, and the forward slotted a low shot into the far corner to restore Colombia's lead. Colombian fans responded with chants of “Lucho, Lucho.”
Uzbekistan kept pushing. Akmal Mozgovoy shot wide in injury time, Karimov headed against the bar, and Azizbek Amonov had a shot blocked. But Colombia had the last word. Campaz scored in the ninth minute of stoppage time to seal a 3-1 win for Nestor Lorenzo's side — their seventh victory in their last eight World Cup group matches.
Luis Diaz was named man of the match, having a hand in all three goals. Colombia next face DR Congo on Tuesday in Guadalajara, while Uzbekistan meet Portugal the same day in Houston.
