Colombia Beats Uzbekistan 3-1 in World Cup 2026 Debut: Goals, Group K Standings, and What's Next
Colombia opened its 2026 World Cup account with a 3-1 win over World Cup debutants Uzbekistan at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Wednesday, June 17. If you were anywhere in Colombia, you already felt it: streets emptied, bars packed, and the country stopped for 90 minutes. For expats, it was easy to find a crowd, whether at a sports bar in El Poblado or a corner tienda in Cartagena. Néstor Lorenzo’s side now sits top of Group K with three points after a match that tested the team’s patience before it pulled away in the second half (ESPN match report).
How the Goals Went In
Daniel Muñoz gave Colombia the lead in the 41st minute. Santiago Arias found him with a ball that Muñoz volleyed over the Uzbekistan keeper to make it 1-0 (ESPN match report).
Uzbekistan answered in the 60th minute. Abbosbek Fayzullaev finished a tap-in to level the score and briefly put Colombia under pressure.
Luis Díaz restored the lead five minutes later, finishing from close range after a quick Colombian move. Díaz also set up a goal on the day and was named man of the match by Sky Sports, which tells you who carried the attacking load (Sky Sports report).
With the clock deep into stoppage time, Jáminton Campaz sealed the result in the 90+9th minute, turning a nervous 2-1 into a clean 3-1 and giving Colombia a healthier goal difference.
Group K After Matchday 1
The other Group K match ended in a draw between Portugal and DR Congo, so Colombia takes an early lead in the standings (NBC live blog).
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 1 | 3 |
| Portugal | 1 | 1 |
| DR Congo | 1 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 1 | 0 |
What’s Next
Colombia faces DR Congo on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 9:00 PM Colombia time (COT). The match is at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara. DR Congo held Portugal to a draw, so expect a motivated opponent. For kickoff times, live results, and the full schedule, keep our World Cup 2026 schedule and results hub open. For player notes and the full roster, see our Colombia 2026 World Cup squad breakdown.
A 9 PM Tuesday kickoff is good for a bar night, but it is a weeknight. Pick your spot early, book a table if you can, and plan the ride home. The group is wide open after matchday 1, and Colombia already has the points it needs to control its own path out of the group.