Diaz helps Colombia beat World Cup debutants Uzbekistan

FIFA World Cup

>Uzbekistan 1 - 3 Colombia FT

>Colombia made a winning return to the World Cup by defeating debutants Uzbekistan, with former Liverpool forward Luis Diaz and Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz among the goalscorers.

>After failing to qualify for the 2022 competition, Colombia secured a victory at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to move top of Group K.

>Munoz scored the first goal with a superb volley at full stretch when he connected with a fine pass forwards from Diaz, who had earlier hit the post.

>Uzbekistan, coached by Italian World Cup-winning defender Fabio Cannavaro, equalised in the 60th minute through Abbosbek Fayzullaev's close-range header after Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas had parried Gustavo Puerta's effort.

>But the South Americans quickly regained their lead with Diaz's strike going in despite Utkir Yusupov in the Uzbekistan goal getting two hands to the ball.

>Uzbekistan, 50th in the world rankings, nearly made it 2-2, but Akmal Mozgovoy curled a shot just wide in the 90th minute, before Colombia substitute Jaminton Campaz headed in a third goal late on.

>There was still time for Uzbekistan's Jakhongir Urozov to hit the crossbar as Colombia took the three points.

>For Diaz, who helped Liverpool win the Premier League in 2024-25 before moving to Bayern Munich in a £65.5m move last summer, his goal was his first in a World Cup.

>It came after an excellent first season at Bayern, in which he scored 15 goals and provided 14 assists to help them win the German league and cup double.

>Portugal drew 1-1 with DR Congo in the group's other game.

>Uzbekistan face Portugal on Tuesday (18:00 BST), before Colombia take on DR Congo (Wednesday, 03:00 BST).

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