Colombia's Diaz Shines as Debutants Uzbekistan Fail to Hold Their Own at the Azteca

Beneath Mexico City's cool, rain-dampened skies, Colombia announced their World Cup ambitions with an authoritative 3-1 dismantling of Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca on Wednesday evening. The Copa America runners-up proved too slick for Fabio Cannavaro's disciplined but ultimately overmatched visitors, with Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz and Jaminton Campaz all finding the net.

Over 80,000 spectators—a sea of Colombian yellow that transformed the venue into something resembling home turf—witnessed a masterclass in controlled pressure. Uzbekistan, making their World Cup bow, never lacked organisation or endeavour, but quality ultimately tells in these contests.

The tournament newcomers set up camp deep and compact, inviting Colombia to break them down. Jhon Arias and James Rodriguez tested them early on, while Bekhruz Karimov offered occasional threat on the counter before Jhon Lucumi snuffed out the danger. An ugly moment saw Diaz's incisive play disrupted by Abdukodir Khusanov's reckless slide, which took out both the winger and a hapless cameraman requiring medical attention.

The deadlock shattered in the 40th minute when Diaz, gathering possession after a broken attack, threaded a perfectly weighted pass for Munoz to convert with clinical finishing. It was the full-back's third international goal, and he wasted no time praising the architect. "When he got the ball, he looked at me for the cross," Munoz explained to Colombian television. "He sent me an amazing ball; all I had to do was finish it."

The Colombian support celebrated with gusto, their "Vamos Colombia" chants drowning out Uzbekistan's loyal if outnumbered drum section.

Uzbekistan emerged with renewed purpose after the interval and produced the evening's most encouraging moment when they hauled themselves level on the hour. Dostonbek Khamdamov found Eldor Shomurodov, whose effort from the right side of the box forced a save from Camilo Vargas, only for the rebound to fall kindly for Abbosbek Fayzullaev to nod home. It was Uzbekistan's maiden World Cup goal—a moment to treasure, though it would prove fleeting.

Five minutes later, Gustavo Puerta released Diaz, whose side-footed finish restored the Colombian advantage amid roars of "Lucho, Lucho" from the crowd. The Liverpool forward was understandably effusive in his assessment. "I worked and fought for this," he told reporters. "I am living out my childhood dream of playing in a World Cup with my national team, and it's even better to have contributed a goal and an assist."

He continued: "I am in peak physical and mental condition; this is my first World Cup, and it is incredibly special."

Uzbekistan mounted a spirited late rearguard, with Akmal Mozgovoy shooting narrowly wide, Karimov rattling the crossbar from distance, and Azizbek Amonov seeing a shot blocked after Otabek Shukurov's pass. But Campaz's injury-time strike sealed matters, with Nestor Lorenzo's outfit demonstrating their superiority in the numbers game—15 attempts to Uzbekistan's nine—and extending a formidable World Cup group-stage record to seven wins from eight matches.

A footnote of historical significance: Cannavaro, lifting the World Cup as Italy captain two decades ago, became only the fourth Ballon d'Or winner to grace a World Cup as both player and manager, joining Franz Beckenbauer, Oleg Blokhin and Marco van Basten.

Ecuador and DR Congo square off in Guadalajara on Tuesday, with Uzbekistan facing Portugal in Houston to follow.