Uzbekistan starts World Cup with defeat

Uzbekistan’s national football team played its first-ever World Cup match today, June 18. Fabio Cannavaro’s team faced Colombia and lost 3-1.

The match, held at the famous Azteca Stadium in Mexico, saw the scoring opened in the 41st minute. Colombia defender Daniel Munoz put the South Americans ahead.

In the 60th minute of the second half, Abbosbek Fayzullayev made history for Uzbek football. The midfielder scored against Colombia, becoming the author of Uzbekistan’s first-ever goal in World Cup history and leveling the score.

However, six minutes later, Luis Diaz scored Colombia’s second goal. In the 90+8th minute of added time, Jhon Arias scored Colombia’s third. The score remained unchanged for the rest of the match, and the game ended in a 3-1 victory for Colombia.

In the group’s other match, Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo played to a 1-1 draw.

Thus, after the first round, Colombia became the sole leader of Group K with three points. Portugal and DR Congo each have one point, while Uzbekistan remains without points.

Uzbekistan will play its next group-stage match against Portugal on June 23 this year in Houston. Cannavaro’s team will then face the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the third round on June 27 in Atlanta.

The goals scored in the match can be watched through this link.