Confidence in tomorrow after a painful defeat

A truly historic event took place in Uzbek football today, June 18, at 7:00 a.m. Tashkent time. It was an event the entire nation had eagerly awaited since independence. There were fans who had given everything for the national team playing under the name of Uzbekistan, even risking their lives in support. Thirty-four years of painful, patient and tear-filled waiting turned into tears of joy and pride this morning.

Uzbekistan’s national team began its first historic World Cup match with a 3-1 defeat. The White Wolves, who looked confident in the opening stages, conceded the first goal in the 40th minute after a brilliant central pass from Luis Diaz. However, in the second half, Fabio Cannavaro’s team briefly took control of the game, and following a dangerous attack, Abbosbek Fayzullayev scored with a header, becoming the author of Uzbekistan’s first-ever World Cup goal. Unfortunately, a mistake in midfield and quick counterattacks later led to Otkir Yusupov’s goal being breached twice more.

That is the general picture of the match. But if we look deeper, it is possible to see what caused the defeat and what gave fans confidence and hope. Below, QALAMPIR.UZ presents these details.

Colombia and the pain of defeat

The match between Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K of the World Cup was full of expected and unexpected moments for spectators and analysts. Before the tournament, Uzbekistan’s two friendly matches under FIFA had divided fans on social media into two camps. Most fans and football experts predicted that Uzbekistan would lose its first match, and that prediction came true. However, the point is that the White Wolves did not simply play a defensive game, as many had expected. At certain moments of the match, they even dominated and showed that they could be one step ahead.

If we look at the situation realistically, Colombia is considered one of the strongest national teams in the world. The team has proved this through its results and talent in previous World Cup tournaments. In specific numbers, Colombia ranks 13th in the FIFA ranking and is among the top South American teams after Argentina, ranked first, and Brazil, ranked sixth.

After missing the 2022 World Cup, the Coffee Growers under Nestor Lorenzo significantly strengthened their squad and became one of the most dangerous teams in the world. The fact that Luis Diaz, one of today’s strongest attackers, Luis Suarez and James Rodriguez are playing in the team’s attack says a lot.

In addition, as mentioned earlier, Mexico’s Azteca Stadium, where the match was held, is one of the highest-altitude stadiums in the world. This creates considerable pressure and rapid fatigue for players on the pitch. Considering Colombia’s regional location, they played almost as if at home. Uzbekistan had to adapt to this factor as well.

At the same time, the fact that Jaloliddin Masharipov, one of the key figures of Uzbekistan’s national team, was unable to recover from injury before the World Cup also seemed to have a negative psychological impact on the team.

Overall, if the situation is viewed realistically, the defeat cannot be called unexpected. There were enough reasons for it beforehand. But the 3-1 scoreline was unexpected. Yes, the score was unexpected and painful, because Cannavaro’s team showed confident and collective football from the opening minutes. Although the team led by Shomurodov defended deep, it was not easy to maintain this against a highly technical and attacking side.

When numbers speak

If we look at the exact figures, the statistics show the general picture of the game. However, those who watched the match clearly felt that behind the defeat was not a weak and insecure performance by Uzbekistan, but rather experience and the class of the opponent.

Colombia fully controlled the game in the first 45 minutes. Their possession stood at 72%. It took some time for the White Wolves to adapt to such a high tempo and attacking pressure led by Luis Diaz. Of course, many had repeatedly said it was important to avoid conceding an early goal, but Uzbekistan played confidently from the first minutes and resisted the opponent’s attacks well.

In addition, Colombia made effective use of three of their four clear goal-scoring chances. In particular, Diaz, the hero of the match, made his mark. He played everywhere today. Naturally, according to various publications, the forward deserved a rating of 8.5 and was recognized as the best player of the match. His performances throughout last season on European pitches also showed that Diaz is in top form.

Abbosbek Fayzullayev was also one of the most active players in Uzbekistan’s squad. He scored the team’s first World Cup goal and earned a 7.1 rating from SofaScore. Otabek Shukurov also showed a stable performance in midfield, contributing to the team’s second-half activity with 45 accurate passes and 62 touches of the ball.

Cannavaro closes the wing problem and defense

Uzbekistan head coach Fabio Cannavaro sent the team onto the pitch in a 3-4-2-1 formation, trying to strengthen the wings. The coach dealt excellently with the wing problem that many had feared. Behruzbek Karimov, who played on the right flank, particularly stood out. He cooled down Diaz’s wing well, and in that sense, on the first goal, the Colombian forward was forced to deliver the assist not from his flank, but through the center.

Although the scoreboard does not allow one to say that Uzbekistan’s defense played well, it can still be considered a solid performance compared with previous matches against strong opponents. The most important thing, defensive cohesion, was visible in the team. At the same time, because the players did not always focus fully on defense, losses of speed and position, Eldor Shomurodov’s unexpected mistake in midfield and a loss of concentration in the final minutes gave the opponent freedom and a chance to increase the score. At tournaments of this level, every mistake, especially mistakes in midfield, inevitably comes at a high cost.

Despite the 3-1 scoreline, the internal statistics and content of the game proved that Uzbekistan’s national team actually has enough potential. The White Wolves won 56% of duels in the second half and also had the advantage in aerial battles. At the same time, in the second half, they increased their xG, or expected goals, to 1.12 and hit the opponent’s crossbar. If luck had been on their side in those moments, the match could easily have ended at least in a draw.

I am proud of my players — Cannavaro

After the match against Colombia, Uzbekistan national team head coach Fabio Cannavaro shared his thoughts at a press conference. According to the coach, the team was able to change the game in the second half and tried to take the initiative.

“The match was interesting. In the second half, we managed to change the game. We created chances from the left flank. We tried to take control of the game. First of all, we came here to present Uzbekistan to the whole world in a positive way. It is not easy to play against teams like Colombia and move without the ball. Overall, we performed well in the second half, but unfortunately, we conceded,” he said.

Assessing the match as a historic game, Cannavaro noted that the team would work on its mistakes.

“We will remember this match at this stadium, because it was a historic game. We are at the World Cup. I can say today’s match was good for us. There were mistakes, and we will work on them. I am proud of my players. They played well. Today was a difficult match. It is not easy to play at such a stadium, in front of fans. But it can also give you more motivation,” Fabio Cannavaro said.

“Abbos made history!”

The 61st minute of the match: Uzbekistan was trailing by one goal and launched an attack. Eldor Shomurodov’s shot toward the Colombian goal was saved by Camilo Vargas, but Abbosbek Fayzullayev headed in the rebound and became the author of Uzbekistan’s first-ever goal in World Cup history.

With this header, the midfielder broke the previous record held by Uruguay’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta, who is 173 centimeters tall, and set a record as the shortest player to score a headed goal at a World Cup held in the 21st century. He wrote his unforgettable name into history in every sense.

The whole world watched this moment live. In particular, Dmitry An, Fayzullayev’s first coach at CSKA Moscow, reacted to the player’s goal against Colombia in the first round of the World Cup group stage.

“Abbos made history. It is very pleasing that he was the one who scored Uzbekistan’s first goal at the World Cup. He entered history and made his contribution to it. He has always had a sense for goal. Even in qualifying matches, despite not being very tall, he scored important headers. I am very happy that such a result was achieved. I am happy for him,” Dmitry An said in an interview with a Championship correspondent.

In addition, well-known Russian sports commentator Dmitry Guberniev also reacted to the outcome of the match between the national teams.

“Uzbekistan will still have its say at the World Cup. Shine, Tashkent, the star of football in the East,” Guberniev wrote on his Telegram channel.

Another well-known Russian coach, Alexander Grigoryan, also shared his opinion on the match. According to him, in the second half, Uzbekistan showed that it could not only defend, but also attack.

“The Uzbeks could have scored a second goal toward the end of the match. The magic of Fabio Cannavaro’s name is working, and he helped the team in a short period. He gave the players confidence in defense. After all, he was a great defender, so he knows very well what advice to give the team. As for Colombia, they can go very far in the tournament. This is not an ordinary South American team. They are a team that applies very intense and aggressive pressing,” Grigoryan said on Match TV.

Is there no chance left?

A defeat does not mean everything is over. Losing the first match of the World Cup is painful and unpleasant, but it does not mean there are no chances left. Uzbekistan’s position after the first round of Group K at the 2026 World Cup, the situation in the group and the realistic scenarios for reaching the playoffs can look different.

The 1-1 draw between Portugal and DR Congo in the parallel group match made the table even more interesting. Colombia currently leads with three points, Portugal and DR Congo each have one point, while Uzbekistan is last with no points. However, the tournament format, with 48 teams and the best third-placed teams also advancing, still gives Uzbekistan a chance. The possibilities of reaching the next round can be considered in three scenarios.

In the first scenario, Fabio Cannavaro’s team must achieve maximum results in the next two matches. In terms of names and expectations, this may seem impossible, but in terms of opportunity, it remains one path. After all, anything can happen in football, can it not?

The second scenario is relatively more realistic. Uzbekistan can become one of the eight best third-placed teams among the 12 groups and reach the playoffs. Even if Uzbekistan loses to Portugal, it will have to defeat DR Congo by a larger margin in the final round. Three points and a good goal difference would guarantee a place in the next stage in almost 80% of cases. Although DR Congo is a physically strong team, tactically Uzbekistan is capable of playing better football than them. Fans are most hopeful about this result.

In the third scenario, miracle mathematics comes into play. For this to happen, more draws must occur in the group. For example, Colombia could defeat all its opponents, DR Congo and Portugal, and become the clear group leader with nine points. If Uzbekistan draws with Portugal and defeats DR Congo, there is even a chance to finish not only third with four points, but possibly second.

What should be focused on?

The situation will become much more serious in the next rounds. Portugal, which dropped points in the first round, will surely take the field against Uzbekistan with full force to win. If Uzbekistan comes under pressure in the opening minutes, as it did against Colombia, and concedes an early goal, the situation will become even more difficult.

In addition, the 3-1 defeat to Colombia left Uzbekistan with a goal difference of minus two. If the national team enters the ranking of third-placed teams, every goal scored and every goal conceded will play a very important role. Therefore, defensive and midfield individual mistakes, such as those seen in the match against Colombia, must be reduced to zero. At the same time, the team will have to make maximum use of even minimal chances.

In conclusion, putting all analysis, predictions and words aside, the White Wolves must use all their abilities on the pitch. Fan support will also be one of the most important resources in the team’s hoped-for success. In the upcoming group matches, and in all of Uzbekistan’s matches at the World Cup, the QALAMPIR.UZ team wishes the players nothing but good luck.