Colombia started its participation in the 2026 World Cup on the right foot by beating Uzbekistan 3-1 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, a result that allows it to become the leader of Group K after the first day.
In front of more than 80,000 spectators, most of them dressed in yellow, the team led by Néstor Lorenzo found in the support of its fans an extra boost to overcome a combative rival that played in the first World Cup in its history.
The person in charge of opening the scoring was Daniel Muñoz in the 41st minute. The winger appeared by surprise inside the area to connect with a cross from Luis Díaz and beat goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov, thus scoring his first goal in a World Cup.
However, Uzbekistan reacted in the second half. Abbosbek Fayzullayev took advantage of a rebound after an intervention by Camilo Vargas to tie the match in the 60th minute and fuel the enthusiasm of the Asian team.
The Uzbek joy was short-lived. Just five minutes later Luis Díaz appeared to return the advantage to Colombia. The Bayern Munich forward capitalized on a recovery by Gustavo Puerta in the rival field and defined with quality to spark the celebration of the thousands of coffee fans present at the Azteca.
With the score in their favor, Colombia controlled the development of the match against an opponent that opted for long balls and showed greater aggression in the final minutes. Already in injury time, Jáminton Campaz sealed the match with an accurate header after a cross from Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernández.
The victory leaves Colombia at the top of Group K thanks to goal difference, after the surprise 1-1 draw between Portugal and DR Congo in the other match in the area.
The coffee growers’ next challenge will be on June 23 in Guadalajara against DR Congo, while Uzbekistan will seek to recover that same day against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
