Colombia opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over debutants Uzbekistan at the Estadio Aztecas ending Los Cafeteros to the top of Group K after matchday 1, Yankee Scores reports.
Colombia had the first chances of the match through Jhon Arias and James Rodriguez but Uzbekistan sat deep, defended well and waited for mistakes under their Italian coach Fabio Cannavaro.
At last their patience gave way. Diaz clipped a fine pass into the path of Daniel Munoz who guided home a neat finish for his third international goal in the 40th minute to give Colombia a deserved lead at the break.
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3-1
⚽️ Daniel Muñoz, Luis Díaz, Jaminton Campaz #ConOrgulloColombiano pic.twitter.com/Do0bq9Ii5x— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) June 18, 2026
Uzbekistan came out for the second half with a new purpose. Dostonbek Khamdamov found Eldor Shomurodov on the hour mark but the striker’s shot was saved low by keeper Camilo Vargas. Vargas, however, couldn’t hold on and Abbosbek Fayzullaev nodded in the rebound from close range — a historic moment as Uzbekistan scored their first ever goal at a World Cup.
There was little time for the celebrations to die down. The Colombians responded five minutes later, going back in front with Luis Diaz in the 65th.
Per ESPN, Goals from Diaz and Jaminton Campaz in the second half proved enough to give Colombia the edge in a tight contest against an Uzbek side that was never shy in giving their all
Campaz sealed the result deep into stoppage time, heading home after Juan Hernandez chased a long ball and whipped a delicious cross across the face of goal.
The victory put Colombia at the top of Group K. DR Congo next up for them on Tuesday June 23 and Portugal play Uzbekistan the same day.
