Diaz and Campaz fire Colombia past debutants Uzbekistan in World Cup 2026 opener

Luis Diaz and substitute Jaminton Campaz struck after the interval to give Colombia a 3-1 victory over World Cup debutants Uzbekistan at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday, as both sides opened their 2026 campaign.

Daniel Munoz gave Colombia the lead six minutes before half-time, timing his run into the box to steer Diaz’s delivery past goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov. Uzbekistan responded with greater attacking intent after the break and levelled on the hour when Abbosbek Fayzullaev headed home from close range after Camilo Vargas had parried Eldor Shomurodov’s volley into the air.

The equaliser lasted just five minutes. Colombia broke in numbers after winning possession in midfield, and Yusupov could not keep out Diaz’s low shot to restore the South Americans’ advantage. The Bayern Munich winger had already struck the post earlier in the match and been bundled off the ball by Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, who was booked for the challenge.

Campaz settled the contest nine minutes into stoppage time, heading in a cross from Cucho Hernandez to make it 3-1. Uzbekistan’s teenage substitute Bekhruz Karimov still found time to crash a shot against the crossbar, underlining the spirit the debutants showed throughout.

Colombia’s Johan Mojica had been booked as early as the seventh minute in a physical opening, with Jhon Arias firing the first genuine chance wide from outside the box before the match settled into a more structured pattern. Los Cafeteros controlled possession for long stretches but were made to work hard by an Uzbekistan side that refused to be overrun on the biggest stage of their footballing history.