Updated: July 10, 2026 | The match has concluded — this post is now a post-match recap.
The opening round of Group K at the 2026 World Cup delivered a thrilling contest on June 20, 2026 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Colombia defeated first-time World Cup qualifiers Uzbekistan 3-1. Many had expected this to be a straightforward three points for Colombia in their opener, but the match turned out to be far more contested than anticipated, with Uzbekistan putting up a spirited fight in their historic first-ever World Cup appearance for Central Asian football.
Colombia took the lead near the end of the first half, with right-back Daniel Muñoz converting a chance to send “Los Cafeteros” into halftime up 1-0. Things really got interesting in the second half — Uzbekistan’s Abbosbek Fayzullaev struck an equalizer, marking Uzbekistan’s first-ever goal in World Cup history, a landmark moment for a nation making its tournament debut.
Colombia’s response came almost immediately. Star forward Luis Díaz, who plies his trade in one of Europe’s top leagues, restored Colombia’s lead with a powerful strike in the 65th minute, settling the team’s nerves. Deep into stoppage time, Jáminton Campaz added another with a header, sealing the final score at 3-1 to close out Colombia’s opener. According to reports from the scene, more than 80,000 fans packed Estadio Azteca that night, the majority cheering for Colombia, creating a home-away-from-home atmosphere despite the cool, drizzly evening.
To fully appreciate the weight of this win, you have to look at it alongside the group’s other match. Earlier that same day, Portugal, who entered as favorites, were held to a surprising 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), who picked up their first-ever World Cup point in the process. That means Colombia emerged from Round 1 as the sole team in Group K with a perfect three points, giving them a strong head start toward advancing.
For fans following along from Canada, one thing worth clarifying up front: this Group K match was played in Mexico City, not on Canadian soil. While the 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, matches are spread across different host cities, and all of Group K’s opening-round fixtures took place in the U.S. and Mexico. Neither Colombia nor Uzbekistan share a group with Team Canada — this matchup is really for fans looking to follow the tournament in full. Colombia went on to advance out of Group K and made it all the way to the Round of 16, where their World Cup run ultimately ended in a penalty shootout loss to Switzerland on July 7.
If you’re in Canada and planning to follow the whole tournament, check out our 2026 World Cup Canada Viewing Guide for info on broadcast platforms and where to watch. To keep track of every group’s schedule, our full schedule page is updated regularly too.
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