Colombia beat World Cup debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 in Group K opener
Colombia defeated World Cup debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 at Estadio Azteca, with goals from Munoz, Diaz, and Campaz securing the Group K victory.
Mehmet Şahinoğlu ·
Colombia opened their FIFA World Cup Group K campaign with a 3-1 win over tournament debutants Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Wednesday.
Daniel Muñoz put Colombia ahead in the 40th minute after Luis Díaz clipped a pass into his run, breaking down an Uzbekistan side that spent long spells defending deep.
Uzbekistan improved after the break and levelled on the hour through Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who headed in the rebound after goalkeeper Camilo Vargas could not hold Eldor Shomurodov’s low shot from the right side of the box.
Colombia restored their lead five minutes later. Gustavo Puerta released Díaz in the 65th minute and the forward side-footed a finish across goal to make it 2-1.
Jaminton Campaz added a late third, scoring in the ninth minute of stoppage time as Colombia saw out the opening group match in front of a crowd of more than 80,000 on a cool, rain-tinged evening in the Mexican capital.
Uzbekistan’s first World Cup goal briefly swings momentum
Fayzullaev’s equaliser marked Uzbekistan’s first-ever World Cup goal, a milestone for the country on its tournament debut.
Uzbekistan continued to search for a way back into the contest after drawing level, but Colombia’s quality in transition proved decisive once they moved back in front.
Match data cited in the report said Colombia finished with 15 attempts to Uzbekistan’s nine.
Group K schedule: Colombia face DR Congo next
The result also continued Colombia head coach Néstor Lorenzo’s recent group-stage record, with the report noting seven wins in the team’s last eight World Cup group matches.
Colombia are scheduled to face DR Congo in Guadalajara on Tuesday. Uzbekistan are set to meet Portugal in Houston on the same day.
Both teams now turn their focus to the second round of Group K fixtures, with early points beginning to shape the group picture.
Attention will now shift to Tuesday’s matches, which will provide a clearer early indication of how Group K is likely to develop.