Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Colombia Survive Scare to Win as Uzbekistan Make History

A historic first-ever goal for Uzbekistan was not enough to secure a result in a 3-1 loss to a Luis Diaz-inspired Colombia.

Daniel Munoz got the scoring underway with an outrageous volleyed flick from a fine Diaz pass before Abbosbek Fayzullayev headed home a famous first-ever goal. The passion from the goal turned to complacency soon after, as Diaz picked up the pieces to net the eventually-decisive goal.

The result marked the final Matchday 1 at the 2026 World Cup, and moved Colombia top of Group K after Portugal's shock draw against DR Congo earlier in the night.

Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia As It Happened

It took all of half an hour for the first big chance of the game to finally arrive, and it came for Colombia during what had been a dominant display in terms of possession.

A clever bit of play down the left hand side from Jhon Arias preceded a brilliant reverse pass, which eventually saw Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz released into the channel. He took aim at the far bottom corner, but saw his left-footed drive bounce harmlessly back off of the foot of the post.

But the Azteca would soon be lit up by a sensational Colombian opener. Diaz, the dangerman thus far, took aim with a long-range pass into the box in search of defender Daniel Munoz. The Crystal Palace right-back, rushing onto the pass, got onto the stretch superbly to flick the ball beyond Utkir Yusupov on the volley in outrageous style.

Halftime Score - Uzbekistan 0-1 Colombia

In the second half, the mood had switched up in the Uzbekistani camp. Fabio Cannavaro's men were actively looking to stamp an authority on the game and were starting to get onto the front foot.

And then, on the hour mark, the nation would roar on a memorable equaliser that marked their first-ever World Cup goal.

A cross from the left flank was volleyed on goal by Eldor Shomurodov. It should have been simple enough for goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, but he made it awkward and pushed it skyward in an uncertain moment. Lurking at the back stick would be Shomurodov's Basaksekhir teammate Abbosbek Fayzullayev, who nodded home from an inch out to claim a famous leveller with only the third effort of the game from Uzbekistan.

But with the cameras panning round to a sea of Uzbekistani fans in elation in Mexico, Colombia would bring a ruthless end to the short ceremony.

Uzbekistan were caught napping in the wake of their goal, and Colombia surged forward in the blink of an eye with only a few back on defence. Gustavo Puerta led the charge, before finding Diaz in wide-open space on the left to steady himself and release a trademark right-footed curler. It wasn't the cleanest finish, but it went straight through the spread hands of Yusupov before nestling into the back of the net.

Colombia mostly had control of the game from there on out. Richard Rios' introduction added a bit of a spark, as did that of Jaminton Campaz and Juan Hernandez. Quick, short passes around the Uzbekistani defence was the order of the day, with one such routine leading to Jefferson Lerma sending a half-decent chance into the side netting.

Substitutes Hernandez and Campaz would double down on their strong cameos with a late, decisive third to settle the nervous affair. The former was sent sprinting down the right wing after a long pass, and got back to his feet in time to send a perfect cross directly onto the head of the latter to grab a Colombian third to start their campaign perfectly.

18-year-old Behruzjon Karimov almost grabbed a sensational reply just seconds later, rattling the crossbar with a bullet of a hit from miles out, but the final whistle brought an end to an intriguing battle.

Full-time Score - Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia

Uzbekistan Player Ratings

• Utkir Yusupov (4)

• Abdukodir Khusanov (6)

• Abdulla Abdullaev (5)

• Rustam Ashurmatov (5)

• Bekhruz Karimov (5)

• Sherzod Nasrulloev (6)

• Akmal Mozgovoy (5)

• Otabek Shukurov (6)

• Oston Urunov (6)

• Abbosbek Fayzullayev (7)

• Eldor Shomurodov (7)

• Dostonbek Khamdamov (6)

• Farrukh Sayfiev (5)

• Jakhongir Urozov (6)

• Azizbek Amonov (6)

• Igor Sergeev (N/A)

Colombia Player Ratings

• Camilo Vargas (5)

• Daniel Munoz (9)

• Davinson Sanchez (6)

• Jhon Lucumi (6)

• Johan Mojica (6)

• Gustavo Puerta (7)

• Jefferson Lerma (7)

• James Rodriguez (7)

• Jhon Arias (7)

• Luis Diaz (9)

• Luis Suarez (7)

• Jaminton Campaz (8)

• Richard Rios (7)

• Juan Hernandez (8)

• Kevin Castano (N/A)

• Andres Gomez (N/A)

Man of the Match - Luis Diaz

When it comes to football
Luis diaz isn’t talked enough
Pure quality, good passing rate, one v one
What can’t this man do??

Unlike stattpadding he really plays for the badge #colombia #fifaworldcup pic.twitter.com/AcBfgV7MWZ

— Sunel Katwal (@KatwalSunel) June 18, 2026

It wasn't a game oozing with quality like so many at this World Cup have done, but Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz was a real difference-maker for Colombia tonight.

His perfect pass to Munoz got the scoring underway, and he netted the eventual winner in a performance befitting of his importance to his national team.

Bad Day at the Office - Both Goalkeepers

A clinic in shot-stopping, tonight was not.

Neither goalkeeper came out of this match looking too glamorous, with the man on either end of the pitch responsible for a goal against them apiece with some sloppy goalkeeping.

Come on lads... good goalkeepers have been the running theme in North America this summer.