{"id":36556,"date":"2026-06-18T10:12:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T10:12:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/18\/colombia-beat-uzbekistan-3-1-at-the-world-cup-thanks-to-luis-diaz\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T10:12:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T10:12:51","slug":"colombia-beat-uzbekistan-3-1-at-the-world-cup-thanks-to-luis-diaz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/18\/colombia-beat-uzbekistan-3-1-at-the-world-cup-thanks-to-luis-diaz\/","title":{"rendered":"Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 at the World Cup thanks to Luis Diaz"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

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MEXICO CITY (AP) \u2014 Colombia has arrived. world cup<\/span> Dreaming of making up for missing the match against Qatar in 2022. Although there were some tense moments, Cafeteros got off to a strong start.<\/p>\n

Luis Diaz had a goal and an assist in his debut on soccer’s biggest stage, helping Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

“That’s what we came here for. It’s very important to win this first game. We were in control in the first half, but they played better in the second half,” said Dias, who plays for Bayern Munich. “We have to improve.”<\/p>\n

Daniel Mu\u00f1oz, also playing in his World Cup debut, scored the opening goal in the 40th minute after receiving a pass from Diaz. Scored the tying goal in the 65th time.<\/span> The shot from close range hit the hands of diving goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov and crossed the line.<\/p>\n

“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said.<\/p>\n

Faizulaev Avosbek scored in the 60th minute for Uzbekistan to make their first World Cup appearance in front of a pro-Colombian crowd of 80,824 at the Estadio Azteca.<\/p>\n

“It’s a great joy, but I think it was mentally taxing on some of the players who were suffering physically,” Lorenzo said. “It has to do with the emotional strain created by the opening game and the conditions we played in, especially since we were expected to take the lead and were under pressure to win.”<\/p>\n

With the loss of the White Wolves, three of the four teams participating in this year’s World Cup for the first time lost their first round. Cape Verde drew with Spain, while Cura\u00e7ao and Jordan lost.<\/p>\n

Italian coach Fabio Cannavaro of Uzbekistan, who took over the team in October 2025, said, “For a small team like us, losing 3-1 is too much. We have high quality as an Asian team, but we need to grow. It was a good experience.”<\/p>\n

Colombia, ranked 13th in the world, was the favorite to take on Uzbekistan, ranked 50th. Hamington Campas added a goal in second-half stoppage time. Colombia’s best World Cup result was reaching the quarterfinals in Brazil in 2014.<\/p>\n

“We had to give it our all. Now we can enjoy the rest of the night,” midfielder Gustavo Puerta said.<\/p>\n

Colombia topped Group K ahead of Portugal and Congo, who both played to a surprising 1-1 draw earlier on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Colombia will face Congo next Thursday in Guadalajara, Mexico, while Uzbekistan will face Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in Houston.<\/p>\n

“We’re going to play a tough team who played great against one of the best teams in the world. It’s going to be a difficult game,” Lorenzo said.<\/p>\n

Colombia finished third in the South American qualifying round, behind Argentina and Ecuador. Uzbekistan finished second in the Asian qualifying group behind Iran.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP World Cup: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/fifa-world-cup<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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