Colombia’s eight-year wait to return to the World Cup stage was worth every second for their fans. Los Cafeteros locked down a vital 3-1 victory over a stubborn Uzbekistan side on Matchday 1 of Group K, kicking off their tournament run in the best possible way.
It was far from easy early on for Colombia. Despite controlling the lion’s share of possession, they found it incredibly difficult to crack open Uzbekistan’s compact low block. Just as frustration was starting to build on the eve of halftime, Luis Díaz conjured up a moment of magic, delivering a brilliant assist to Daniel Muñoz, who slotted it home to break the deadlock in the 40th minute.
Uzbekistan refused to go quietly, however, and made history of their own in the second half. The debutants capitalized on a costly blunder by Camilo Vargas and Abbosbek Fayzullaev pounced on the error, tapping into an empty net in the 59th minute, triggering wild celebrations as he recorded Uzbekistan’s first-ever goal in a World Cup tournament.
But the underdogs’ joy was short-lived. Just five minutes later, Luis Díaz took matters into his own hands, scoring a spectacular goal to restore Colombia’s cushion. When the match was about to finish, Jaminton Campaz scored a late goal to seal the game and give his team three vital points.
With the 3-1 victory, the South American giants sit alone at the top of Group K with 3 points, leaping ahead of Portugal and DR Congo (who shared a point in their 1-1 draw), while Uzbekistan started their campaign at the bottom of the table.
Thanks for joining us!
Colombia secured a 3-1 victory in their 2026 World Cup opener and you lived every moment with World Soccer Talk!
See you next time!
End of the game!
Colombia defeated Uzbekistan 3-1!
90'+8- GOAAAAAL FOR COLOMBIA!! (1-3)
Jaminton Campaz extends the lead!!
90'+3- Modifications in both teams (1-2)
Colombia: Luis Diaz and Jhon Arias were replaced by Andres Gomez and Kevin Castaño.
Uzbekistan: Eldor Shomurodov was replaced by Igor Sergeev.
90'- Stoppage time (1-2)
The referee added eight more minutes.
85'- Lerma almost scores! (1-2)
Jefferson Lerma found the ball inside the box after a corner kick and he almost scored but his shot went just wide of the post!
80'- Modifications in Colombia (1-2)
Luis Suarez and Gustavo Puertas were replaced by Juan Camilo Hernandez and Richard Rios.
77'- Modifications in Uzbekistan (1-2)
Rustam Ashurmatov and Abbosbek Fayzullaev were replaced by Jakhongir Urozov and Azizbek Amonov.
75'- Yellow card in Uzbekistan (1-2)
Abdukodir Khusanov received a yellow card.
72'- Game resumes and change in Colombia (1-2)
The game continues at Mexico City Stadium with James Rodriguez leaving the field to make way for Jaminton Campaz.
69'- Cooling break (1-2)
Hydration break.
65'- GOOOOAAAL FOR COLOMBIA!! (1-2)
Luis Diaz gives Colombia the lead once again!
60'- GOOOOAAAAL FOR UZBEKISTAN!! (1-1)
Abbosbek Fayzullaev scores the equalizer of the game!
56'- Colombia with more ball posession (0-1)
Colombia have a 69% of ball posession, dictating the tempo of the game.
51'- Uzbekistan looking for the equalizer (0-1)
Fabio Cannavaro’s side has come out with a noticeably more aggressive intent to open the second half, hunting for that crucial equalizer. Meanwhile, Colombia have shifted gears, absorbing the pressure and sitting deeper in their own half to preserve the lead.
46'- Modifications in Uzbekistan (0-1)
Oston Urunov and Sherzod Nasrullaev were replaced by Dostonbek Khamdamov and Farrukh Sayfiev.
The second half is underway!
Uzbekistan and Colombia are already playing the second half!
Halftime!
The game goes to halftime!
45'- Stoppage time (0-1)
The referee added five more minutes.
40'- GOOOAAAAL FOR COLOMBIA!! (0-1)
Daniel Muñoz scores the opener of the game!
36'- Uzbekistan with a great defense (0-0)
Uzbekistan’s defensive shape is incredibly disciplined right now, making it difficult for the Colombian attack. Los Cafeteros are knocking the ball around in the midfield but look completely unable to find a single seam to penetrate the Uzbek backline.
31'- Diaz hit the post! (0-0)
After a brilliant run, Luis Díaz unleashed a dangerous, low-driven shot inside the box that rattled off the post!
26'- The game resumes (0-0)
The game continues at Mexico City Stadium.
22'- Cooling break (0-0)
Hydration break.
17'- First chance of the game (0-0)
Jhon Arias unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box that went just wide from Yusupov's post.
12'- Colombia dominate at the start (0-0)
Colombia have controlled the opening stretch of the match, dictating the tempo with a dominant 68% possession. However, they’ve struggled to translate that heavy volume of passes into anything dangerous in the final third, and neither goalkeeper has truly been tested yet.
7'- Yellow card in Colombia (0-0)
Johan Mojica received the first yellow card of the game.
5'- Slow start in Mexico (0-0)
It’s a cagey start to the match, with neither side willing to make an early mistake that could cost them dearly.
GAME ON!
The game between Uzbekistan and Colombia is underway at Mexico City Stadium!
Players are on the pitch!
Players from both teams are on the field for national anthems. Everything is ready for the start of the match!
Today's referees
Anthony Taylor has been appointed to officiate the clash between Uzbekistan and Colombia. He will be joined on the field by Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.
Full officiating team:
- Referee: Anthony Taylor
- Assistant Referee 1: Gary Beswick
- Assistant Referee 2: Adam Nunn
- Fourth official: Juan Calderon
- VAR: Ivan Bebek
Playing for the top spot of the standings
Following the surprising 1-1 draw between Portugal and DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia have a golden opportunity to finish Matchday 1 as the sole leaders of the group.
Both teams doing warm up activities
Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at Mexio City Stadium!
Uzbekistan lineup cofirmed!
Uzbekistan’s starting XI: Utkir Yusupov; Abdukodir Khusanov, Rustam Ashurmatov, Abdulla Abdullaev; Behruzjon Karimov, Otabek Shukurov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Sherzod Nasrullaev; Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Oston Urunov, Eldor Shomurodov.
Kickoff time and where to watch
Uzbekistan vs Colombia will get underway at Mexico City Stadium at 10:00 PM (ET).
Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FS1, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV are the options to watch Uzbekistan vs Colombia in the USA.
Colombia lineup confirmed!
Colombia’s starting XI: Camilo Vargas; Daniel Muñoz, Jhon Lucumí, Davinson Sánchez, Johan Mojica; Jefferson Lerma, Gustavo Puerta, Jhon Arias; James Rodriguez, Luis Suárez, Luis Díaz.
Uzbekistan and Colombia clash in a 2026 World Cup Group K game
Welcome to World Soccer Talk's live blog! Uzbekistan and Colombia clash at Mexico City Stadium for 2026 World Cup Matchday 1 of Group K.
Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!
200+ Channels & Local Sports
- Price: Plans starting at $14.99/mo (Latino)
- Watch Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores & World Cup Qualifiers
Every MLS Match in One Place
- Price: $12.99/mo (Now included with standard subscription)
- Watch every MLS regular season game, Playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $11.99/mo (or ESPN Unlimited for $29.99/mo)
- Features LaLiga, Bundesliga, FA Cup & NWSL
2,000+ Soccer Games Per Year
- Price: Starting at $8.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A & Europa League
Home of the Premier League
- Price: Starting at $10.99/mo
- 175+ Exclusive EPL matches per season