Lorenzo admits Colombian fans' passion 'emotionally weighed' on players in nervy 3-1 World Cup win over Uzbekistan

Colombia began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan at Mexico City’s Azteca stadium on Wednesday, but coach Nestor Lorenzo admitted the weight of expectation — amplified by a vocal Colombian contingent in the stands — affected his players across a more difficult second half than the scoreline suggests.

Daniel Munoz gave Colombia the lead and they controlled the opening period, yet Uzbekistan fought back to equalise before Luis Diaz restored the advantage. Substitute Jaminton Campaz settled the contest with a goal in added time. The result moved Colombia to the top of Group K, where Portugal and DR Congo had drawn 1-1 earlier in the day.

“It is a beautiful energy, but emotionally it weighed on some of the players,” Lorenzo told reporters after the match. “I think it had to do with the emotional burden of the first game and also with the responsibility of being favourites.”

The Argentine manager pointed to a tactical shift from Uzbekistan at half-time as a further complication. “We had a very good first half. Then they started playing a more direct game and forced us deeper. It became a very physical match,” he said. “In the first half we could have built a bigger advantage. We lacked finishing. We keep working on that constantly.”

Lorenzo also identified a mental block that crept into Colombia’s play as the game tightened. “Sometimes there was too much possession and too much fear of losing the ball. Nobody was finishing the moves,” he said.

Captain James Rodriguez drew attention for a subdued display against Uzbekistan’s compact defensive block, though Lorenzo was measured in his assessment. “It wasn’t his best match, but he didn’t have a bad game. They closed the spaces where James usually operates. He wasn’t the protagonist, but in possession he gave us a lot.”

Colombia next face DR Congo in Guadalajara, a result that could effectively secure their place in the knockout stage and consolidate top spot in Group K.