Colombia defeated debutants Uzbekistan by 3-1 in their Group K match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico on Thursday.
Uzbekistan became the first Asian team to lose a match in the ongoing tournament, even as Asian sides have performed exceptionally well overall.
Colombia scored the first goal of the match courtesy of a brilliantly worked strike by Daniel Muñoz in the 40th minute.
La Tricolour maintained their high-energy game throughout the first half, creating several chances down the wings against a struggling Uzbekistan side. However, the debutants hit back with a counter-attacking equaliser in the 60th minute through Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who finished off a volley from Eldor Shomurodov.
Just five minutes later, Colombia’s Luis Díaz scored the second goal for his team to restore the lead, surprising the Uzbek defence with a powerful shot that bounced off goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov into the net.
Uzbekistan pressed hard for an equaliser, but Campaz’s late strike in stoppage time sealed the victory for Colombia.
Colombia is now placed at the top of the group, while Uzbekistan slipped to the bottom.