After matchday 1, Colombia assumed leadership of Group K, but it wasn’t without a struggle against Uzbekistan. The 3-1 scoreline flattered the winners, as Colombia were kept to a 2-1 lead until the dying moments when substitute forward Cucho Hernandez showed incredible determination to setup the goal that sealed the result.
Colombia Dictates Play Against Uzbekistan
In a World Cup that has been difficult for South American sides, Colombia entered as heavy favorites, but not fully confident against Uzbekistan. Playing in Mexico City, at altitude, in a stadium that was 90% Colombian supporters, Los Cafeteros began the game flat, but in control of possession.
It took 17 minutes for either team to produce a shot on goal, Jhon Arias was wide on the first attempt, and in the 32nd minute, Luis Diaz would have a brilliant chance that bounced off the post. Finally, heading into halftime, Colombia found a breakthrough. Uzbekistan had been sitting back in a low block and letting Colombia rotate the ball freely. A long ball found the foot of an unmarked Daniel Munoz, and Colombia took a 1-0 lead into the half.
In the second half, Uzbekistan opened up a bit more and pressed forward, they found the equalizer and the first World Cup goal in their history in the 60th minute via Abbosbek Fayzullaev. The trouble for Uzbekistan is they couldn’t consistently provide that level of pressure on Colombia’s goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, a player who doesn’t always inspire confidence.
Luis Diaz took it upon himself to put Colombia back in the lead, and when they had an advantage coming downfield, Diaz managed to find the back of the net, scoring the decisive goal in the match.
Manager Nestor Lorenzo limited his substitutions, despite having an older team, and Colombia would tire a bit heading towards the finish. Uzbekistan would launch a series of attacks and get a couple of chances on goal, but they were ultimately wasteful, especially from set pieces.
Cucho Hernandez Determination Seals Colombia’s Win
After suffering for a while, Colombia was needing to survive eight more minutes of extra time. Cucho Hernandez, a substitute forward, got the ball on the wing, and despite being tripped, falling down, he recovered the ball and found enough space to loft a cross to another substitute, Jaminton Campaz, who headed it in to secure a 3-1 win for Colombia.
The goal difference of +2 is helpful, as DR Congo and Portugal drew earlier in the day, and Colombia tops the group after matchday 1 with 3 points. Hernandez is considered to be one of the rising players on the national team, and his performance as a substitute will have fans clamoring to see him more.
Lorenzo said after the match “We lacked finishing the plays, that has to be improved. We entertained a lot in possession and did not provoke crosses and shots on goal.”
Warning Signs for Colombia Remain
Despite the victory, the warning signs for Nestor Lorenzo’s veteran team are still there. James Rodriguez had a modest performance as the #10, and given he doesn’t track back and defend, Colombia really needs more from him in an attacking role if he’s going to start. Rodriguez was the first player subbed off by Lorenzo, but that was after 72 minutes. The remaining substitutions were not used until the 80th minute or later, a rather shocking decision for one of the oldest teams in the tournament.
It’s clear Lorenzo has more faith in his preferred XI than anyone on the bench, we didn’t see enough of Kevin Castano or Andres Gomez to form an opinoin, while Hernandez in 15 minutes had impact, and Richard Rios was respectable in relief of Gustavo Puerta, a midfielder who had an excellent game and played well defined passes.
A further warning sign is how Uzbekistan exploited Johan Mojica, now on a yellow card, defensively. Mojica at LB has not performed consistently for the national team
With Lucho Diaz, there’s enough power in Colombia’s attack to make them fringe contenders, but defensive lapses, especially by goalkeeper Camilo Vargas would be punished by teams more confident than Uzbekistan, perhaps by DR Congo on Tuesday when the teams clash in Guadalajara.
After Eight Years Away A Nation Dreams Again
Colombia’s return to the World Cup has felt less like a comeback than a country coming back to life. The yellow is everywhere, and it is sacred, pulled out of closets, hung from windows, worn in the streets like a badge of pride. James is still there, still a face everyone knows, but now he stands with Diaz, with Puerta, with a new generation that gives this team a harder edge and a fresher pulse. The anxiety was real before kickoff, especially with Colombia waiting until the last day of Matchday 1 to play, leaving the whole country hanging for a week, carrying eight years of absence on its back. But when Munoz hit that ball and it kissed the net, the whole thing cracked open.
After the 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, the road to the knockout stage is already there to be seen, and the Colombia crowd, the kind that travels, fills stadiums, and turns any corner of the world into home, is already moving with it.
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
