◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Luis Díaz scored and assisted as Colombia defeated Uzbekistan by 3-1..

Colombia defeated Uzbekistan by 3-1 in their opening Group K match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico on Thursday.

In the first half, Díaz's shot from a difficult angle hit the post, and Muñoz scored by chipping the opposition goalkeeper with a half-volley from close range. In the second half, Fayzullaev scored with a header, Díaz's shot deflected off the goalkeeper and went into the net, and Arias appeared to commit a handball, but the referee refused to award Uzbekistan a penalty. In a crucial moment, Campaz scored with a header. Ultimately, Colombia defeated Uzbekistan by 3-1. After this round of matches, Los Cafeteros temporarily lead the group with 3 points; the White Wolves, suffering their third consecutive defeat, are currently bottom of the group with 0 points.

First Half

In the 16th minute, Colombia launched a quick counter-attack. Gustavo Puerta intercepted the ball and passes horizontally from the right wing. Jhon Arias got the ball and took a few steps before taking a right-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot hit the right side netting.

16 minutes later, Arias delivered a through ball from near the midfield center circle. After beating the offside trap, Luis Díaz quickly followed up, got the ball and dribbled into the left side of the box before volleying the ball with his left foot from a difficult angle, but his shot unfortunately struck the bottom right corner of the post and bounced off. Colombia missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock first!

In the 40th minute, Díaz passes horizontally from the left wing. His pass was initially blocked and cleared off not far away by Abdulla Abdullaev. James Rodríguez quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, volleyed with his left foot from the right side of the box, but his shot was blocked by Rustam Ashurmatov.

Shortly after, Díaz delivered an overhead pass into the box from the left wing. After beating the offside trap, Daniel Muñoz quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, chipped the ball into the high center of the net with his right foot with a half-volley from a very close distance in the box in a solo effort, leaving Utkir Yusupov helpless. Colombia broke the deadlock first to take a 1-0 lead! This was the Crystal Palace right wing-back's sixth goal of the season for both club and country in all competitions!

At halftime, Colombia temporarily enter the break leading Uzbekistan by 1-0.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 52nd minute, Johan Mojica crossed into the box from the left wing. Luis Suárez attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was blocked by Ashurmatov.

8 minutes later, Dostonbek Khamdanov crossed from the byline at hte left side of the box. Eldor Shomurodov quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, half-volleyed with his right foot from the right side of the box. His shot was intially saved and cleared off not far away by Camilo Vargas before Abbosbek Fayzullaev followed up and scored with a header in the box from a very close distance in the box, leveling the score at 1-1 for Uzbekistan against Colombia!

In the 61st minute, Díaz passes horizontally from the left side of the box. Arias stopped the ball before volleying with his right foot from the center of the box. His shot was initially blocked and cleared off not far away by Ashurmatov. Jefferson Lerma quickly followed up and upon picking up the loose ball, took a right-footed long shot from just outside of the penalty area, but his shot flew high and went out of the pitch.

4 minutes later, Puerta passes horizontally from the attacking third. Diaz quickly followed up and took a few steps before volleying with his right foot from the left side of the box. His shot was parried by Yusupov and deflected into the bottom right corner of the net, restoring Colombia's lead at 2-1! This was the Bayern Munich left winger's 27th goal of the season for the club and country in all competitions!

In the 86th minute, Arias passed the ball back from the byline at the left side of the box. Lerma quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his right foot from the left side of the box, but his shot hit the left side netting.

3 minutes later, Azizbek Amonov passes horizontally from the left wing. Akmal Mozgovoy quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before volleying with his right foot from the center of the box, but his shot went just slightly wide of the top right corner of the post.

In the second minute of injury, Farrukh Sayfiev crossed into the box from the left wing. His pass appeared to have strucked Arias' wrist. Shomurodov immediately protested, demanding a penalty, but the refereeing team remained unmoved.

7 minutes later, Cucho Hernández crossed into the box from the right wing, where Jaminton Campaz rose high and scored with a header in the box, sealing a 3-1 victory for Colombia!

When the final whistle is blown, Colombia defeated Uzbekistan by 3-1.

Image source: Internet / AFP