Luis Diaz stars as Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in World Cup opener

Luis Diaz produced a Man of the Match display as Colombia opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca. The Bayern Munich forward was at the heart of Colombia's attack throughout the match. After seeing a powerful effort strike the post, Diaz set up the opener in the 40th minute with a precise pass into the path of Daniel Munoz, whose acrobatic volley beat Utkir Yusupov.

Uzbekistan, making their first World Cup finals appearance under Fabio Cannavaro, levelled on the hour when Abbosbek Fayzullaev reacted to a rebound to head home. Five minutes later a turnover in midfield allowed Gustavo Puerta to find Diaz, whose low drive squirmed through Yusupov's grasp to restore Colombia's lead.

Jaminton Campaz sealed the win deep into stoppage time with a header from a Juan Camilo Hernandez cross, after teenager Bekhruz Karimov had rattled the crossbar moments earlier.

luis diaz, colombia, uzbekistan, world cup, estadio azteca, daniel munoz, gustavo puerta, jaminton campaz, bayern munich, fabio cannavaro