Colombia cruised to a commanding 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan at Estadio Azteca, with Luis Díaz's all-around brilliance and clinical finishing from the visitors proving too much for the home side.
Colombia dominated proceedings in Mexico City, controlling the match with superior possession and shot accuracy. Uzbekistan entered the contest looking to make an impact in their World Cup campaign, but they quickly found themselves under sustained pressure from a well-organized Colombian outfit.
Daniel Muñoz opened the scoring for Colombia in the 40th minute, firing past the Uzbekistan goalkeeper to give the visitors a deserved lead. The goal came as a result of Colombia's relentless attacking play in the first half, where they created multiple chances while limiting their opponents' opportunities.
Uzbekistan showed resilience despite falling behind. They kept their defensive shape and looked to hit on the counter-attack. However, Colombia's 61 percent possession and superior passing accuracy of 86 percent highlighted their control of the match's tempo and flow.
The second half began with Colombia maintaining their intensity. Abbosbek Fayzullaev pulled one back for Uzbekistan in the 60th minute, momentarily giving the home crowd hope of a comeback. The goal energized the stadium and suggested Uzbekistan might mount a genuine challenge.
That hope proved short-lived. Luis Díaz restored Colombia's two-goal advantage just five minutes later in the 65th minute, finishing with composure after a well-worked attacking move. Díaz's performance throughout the match earned him a match rating of 8.3, reflecting his influence on both ends of the pitch.
Colombia's dominance in the statistics told the full story. They registered 15 total shots compared to Uzbekistan's eight, with four shots on target versus two. Colombia's expected goals (xG) of 1.61 exceeded Uzbekistan's 1.14, demonstrating their superior chance creation.
Jaminton Campaz added a fourth goal deep into injury time at the 90+9 minute mark, sealing a comprehensive victory for the visitors. The late strike put the result beyond doubt and capped off a dominant performance from the Colombian side.
Colombia's commanding display showcased their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. They won the battle in midfield, completed 445 of 520 passes, and limited Uzbekistan to minimal opportunities throughout the 90 minutes.
Uzbekistan fought hard but lacked the cutting edge required at World Cup level. Despite committing 14 fouls and receiving one yellow card, they could not disrupt Colombia's rhythm or create enough clear-cut chances to threaten a comeback.
This victory represents a significant statement from Colombia in the tournament. The three points move them up the standings and establish them as a serious contender in their group, while Uzbekistan faces a difficult road ahead in their World Cup campaign.
