Uzbekistan's national football team played its historic first World Cup match at Mexico City's legendary Azteca Stadium, losing 1-3 to Colombia in front of a sold-out crowd of 80,824.

The first half saw Colombia dominate with 72% possession and seven shots. On 40 minutes, Luis Diaz crossed for Daniel Munoz to volley home.

Coach Cannavaro made two changes at halftime, replacing left-back Sherzod Nasrullayev with Farrukh Sayfiev and winger Oston Urunov with Dostonbek Khamdamov.

Uzbekistan equalized on 60 minutes through Abbosbek Fayzullayev, who headed in from close range after Eldor Shomurodov's shot was saved – the nation's first ever World Cup goal.

Colombia regained the lead five minutes later when Luis Diaz scored after a swift counter-attack. Despite Uzbekistan's pressure, Colombia sealed the win late on when Jhaminton Campaz headed in from a corner.

In stoppage time, 18-year-old Bekhruz Karimov hit the crossbar with a long-range effort. The final score: 1-3.

The match showed Uzbekistan's physical fitness matched their opponents, but defensive lapses and poor decision-making in key moments proved costly.

Source: podrobno.uz