Colombia showed no weaknesses in their first Group K game. The South Americans beat World Cup debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 (1-0) in Mexico City – and took first place.
In the last game of the first World Cup matchday, Daniel Muñoz (40th) put the heavy favorite in the lead. Abbosbek Fayzullayev scored the first World Cup goal in Uzbek football history (61st) after a grotesque goalkeeper error. But Colombia’s star player Luis Diaz restored the old distance just five minutes later. Deep into stoppage time, Jaminton Campaz scored the final score (90+9).
The conclusion of the World Cup debutants is clearly negative: Curacao (1:7 against Germany) and Jordan (1:3 against Austria) had already lost their games. The only positive headlines were Cape Verde, which scored a point against Spain (0-0) thanks to an outstanding goalkeeping performance.
“We tried everything. But if you make mistakes, you pay for them,” said Uzbekistan national coach Fabio Cannavaro. Nevertheless, Italy’s 2006 World Cup winner said: “I’m so proud of my players.” Cannavaro took over the team after the Uzbeks had already qualified for the World Cup.
Cannavaro relies on Uzbek catenaccio
He had his team extremely defensive against Colombia. With the ball, the Central Asians played in a 5-3-2 formation, and against the ball the system became even more compact. All ten field players repeatedly stood in their own penalty area in order to minimize the space for Colombia as much as possible. At the same time, there was not a single shot on goal by the Uzbeks before the break.
Fabio Cannavaro had given his team a very defensive approach.
But the world number 13. Colombia actually had a hard time. The first good opportunity was lost right from the start because Gustavo Puerta jumped the ball ten meters away when he took the ball with him (12th). Shortly afterwards, the midfielder did better and stole the ball from the Uzbeks during the build-up, allowing Jhon Arias to have his first shot on goal, which ended up in the side netting (17′).
Magic pass from Luis Diaz makes it 1-0
Neither the high pace of the game nor the temperatures – 20 degrees Celsius at kick-off at 8 p.m. local time – justified the upcoming drinking break in Mexico City. The Colombians slowly got better into the game after that. In the 32nd minute, Luis Diaz finished from a tight angle following a pass from Arias, but failed to hit the inside post. Eight minutes later, the South American superstar prepared the 1-0 himself: From 30 meters he played a flying ball vertically in front of the goal, right-back Muñoz had run in and volleyed the ball into the net – 1-0.
Daniel Muñoz acrobatically scores the opening goal.
Fayzullayev uses goalkeeping mistake to score historic World Cup goal
Like some favorites before, the Colombians also had problems because they didn’t consistently play forward. Uzbekistan just needed one chance to equalize. The entire back team was in a deep sleep.
After a cross from the left, Eldor Shomurodov had a free shot at the far post, but did not hit the ball fully. Nevertheless, the ball ended up in the net because Camilo Vargas had a total blackout. Instead of going to the ball with his hands, the keeper directed the ball to the post with his knees. Abbosbek Fayzullayev headed the rebound over the line to equalize (61′).
Abbosbek Fayzullaev celebrates after the equalizer.
Luis Diaz promptly responds with the 2-1
The joy over this historic goal was short-lived, however – because the Uzbek midfield fell asleep again. Again it was Puerta who won the ball. Luis Diaz used his pass to make it 2-1 (66′). The Uzbeks now had to come, but it took until the start of stoppage time before they came close to scoring again. Akmal Mozgovoy’s shot missed the angle by one meter (90.+1). Bekhruz Karimov was much closer, nailing the ball to the crossbar (90.+11).
But the game was already decided by then. After a strong effort from Cucho Hernandez and his cross, the 1.66 meter tall Campaz made it 3-1 with his header (90th + 9th).
Good Starting position for Colombia
With the 1-1 draw in the second group game between Portugal and DR Congo, Colombia has taken the lead in Group K for the first time. The next opponent is the DR Congo on Wednesday (4 a.m. CEST) in Zapopan, Mexico. Uzbekistan will continue against Portugal on Tuesday (7 p.m. CEST) in Houston.