Colombia lives up to its role as favorite and leads Group K after beating Uzbekistan.
Successful start to the World Cup for Colombia. Imago / Jorge Reyes
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Colombia has made a successful start to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. The South American lived up to their role as favorites in the 3-1 win in Mexico City against World Cup debutants Uzbekistan on Wednesday and are leaders in Group K. The lead over Portugal and the Democratic Republic of Congo is two pointswho played 1-1. Daniel Munoz (40th), Luis Diaz (65th) and Jaminton Campaz (99th) made the decision. Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored for the underdog (60th).
In front of 80,824 spectators in the Aztec Stadium, the Colombians gained a playful advantage from the start with their captain James Rodriguez, who got fit in time, and were initially safe. A shot from Jhon Arias went into the side netting (17th), a left-footed shot from Bayern’s Diaz bounced off the post and back into the field (32nd). Top opportunity number three was crowned with success. Munoz used a cross ball from Diaz with a direct shot from a lateral position in an acrobatic style. Even after the break, the favorite controlled the action.
The Central Asians, coached by Fabio Cannavaro, equalized due to a goalkeeper error. Camilo Vargas made a mistake on a Shomurodov volley, the ball fell from the post to Fayzullaev, who headed in from point-blank range. But the joy quickly disappeared. The Colombians switched quickly after winning the ball and Diaz scored after a pass from Gustavo Puerta. In that case too, the goalie didn’t look good, Utkir Yusupov deflected the ball into his own net. Things got even more turbulent as the Uzbeks showed their best performance in the finish. Akmal Mozgovoy shot the ball past (90th). At the other end, Campaz made everything clear with a header from Cucho Hernandez’s cross. Uzbekistan was unlucky when Behruzjon Karimov hit the crossbar (101′). (APA)
