Luis Diaz Shines as Colombia Defeats Uzbekistan in World Cup 2026 Debut

Colombia kicked off their World Cup 2026 campaign with a dominant performance against Uzbekistan, thanks to goals from Luis Diaz, Daniel Munoz, and Jaminton Campaz.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off with a bang as Colombia made a triumphant return to the global stage, defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The South American team, led by the brilliance of Luis Diazshowcased their skill and determination in front of a roaring crowd of over 80,000 fans.

The match, played on a cool, rain-tinged evening, saw Colombia’s greater quality shine through as they overcame a spirited second-half response from the tournament debutants. Uzbekistan, coached by Italian legend Fabio Cannavaroput up a disciplined fight but ultimately fell short against the experienced Colombian side.

Diaz’s Stellar Performance

The star of the show was undoubtedly Luis Diazwho not only scored a goal but also set up another, showcasing his versatility and skill. The winger had the clearest chance of the opening half when he struck the post, but his persistence paid off in the 40th minute when he clipped a fine pass into the path of Daniel Munozwho guided home a neat finish for his third international goal.

Diaz’s influence was felt again in the 65th minutewhen he side-footed across goal to restore Colombia’s lead, prompting chants of “Lucho, Lucho” from the ecstatic crowd. His performance was a testament to his growth as a player, having recently moved to Bayern Munich from Liverpool.

Uzbekistan’s Fightback

Uzbekistan, making their World Cup debut, showed remarkable resilience. They equalized in the 60th minute through Abbosbek Fayzullaev‘s close-range header after Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas parried an effort. The goal was a historic moment for Uzbekistan, marking their first-ever World Cup goal.

Despite their valiant efforts, Uzbekistan’s joy was short-lived. They kept pushing, with Akmal Mozgovoy shooting narrowly off target in stoppage time and Bekhruz Karimov hitting the bar with an effort from distance. However, Colombia had the final word, with Jaminton Campaz scoring in the ninth minute of stoppage time to seal the victory.

The Road Ahead

Colombia’s victory extends their strong recent group-stage record to seven wins in eight World Cup matches. They will next face DR Congo on Tuesday in Guadalajarawhile Uzbekistan will take on Portugal in Houston on the same day.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be a thrilling tournament, and Colombia’s winning start has set the tone for an exciting journey ahead. Fans can follow all the action on Al Jazeera’s dedicated World Cup page, with the latest news, match build-up, and live text commentary.