Luis Díaz shines as Colombia defeat brave Uzbekistan 3-1
Luis Díaz scores one and sets up another on his World Cup debut to fire Colombia to a hard-fought 3-1 victory over tournament newcomers Uzbekistan
Luis Díaz marked his World Cup debut in sparkling fashion as Colombia weathered a spirited second-half fightback from newcomers Uzbekistan to secure a 3-1 victory in a captivating Group K opener at the Estadio Azteca.
The South Americans looked to be cruising after a majestic opening period that culminated in Daniel Muñoz’s acrobatic volley, but Fabio Cannavaro’s disciplined debutants briefly threatened an upset when young star Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored a historic equalizer. However, the top-tier pedigree of Nestor Lorenzo’s side ultimately shone through. Díaz swiftly restored the lead with a low drive before substitute Jaminton Campaz put the gloss on the result with a late header in the 99th minute, sending Colombia to the summit of the group ahead of Portugal and DR Congo.
Returning to the global stage after missing out on Qatar 2022, Colombia asserted their dominance on a rain-tinged evening in Mexico City. Backed by a sea of yellow in the stands, they routinely unlocked an energetic but deep-lying Uzbek defense. Díaz gave the tournament debutants an early warning of his world-class quality when he burst through on the left flank, cutting inside only to see his sharp-angled effort crash back off the post.
The breakthrough finally materialized five minutes before the interval, courtesy of a piece of sheer individual brilliance. Midfielder Jefferson Lerma timed a delicate lofted pass perfectly over the static Uzbek backline. Overlapping full-back Muñoz read the flight instantly, lunging forward to strike a marvelous flying volley past the helpless Utkir Yusupov.
Uzbekistan refused to shrink under the pressure and emerged for the second half with renewed attacking vigor. Their bravery was rewarded on the hour mark. Captain Eldor Shomurodov expertly controlled a cross from the left wing and unleashed an instinctive, powerful volley. Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas could only parry the ball onto his own post, and Fayzullaev reacted quickest to gleefully head home the rebound into an empty net to secure Uzbekistan’s first-ever goal at a World Cup finals.
Yet, the underdogs’ unbridled ecstasy lasted a mere five minutes as Colombia immediate bit back. Seizing upon a loose throw-in near the halfway line, Gustavo Puerta drove forward at pace before sliding a pass across the edge of the area to Díaz. The winger shifted the ball onto his right foot and fired a low, venomous strike that slipped through the gloves of Yusupov and trickled over the line.
With Uzbekistan committing bodies forward in a desperate search for another equalizer during a chaotic period of stoppage time, Colombia struck the fatal blow on the counter-attack. Fellow substitute Cucho Hernández chased down a seemingly lost cause in the right corner, working tenaciously to win possession before whipping a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Campaz planted a firm header into the net to seal a vital three points
