Colombia open their seventh World Cup appearance against Uzbekistan in the first-ever meeting between the two sides. Colombia missed Qatar 2022, but they arrive here off a qualifying campaign that ended with 28 points and third place on goal difference. James Rodrigues, L. Diaz and Luis Javier Suárez give them the stronger attacking group on paper, yet this is still a debut night for Uzbekistan and that changes the rhythm of the game.

Why Colombia start as favourites

James Cormack's view is blunt enough. "The South Americans have started slowly at this World Cup, but Colombia has a great chance of starting off with a handsome victory," he told si.com. The fixture also adds a bit of uncertainty because, as he put it, "The two nations collide for the very first time at the stunning soccer amphitheatre that is the Estadio Azteca."

Colombia's recent tournament record is good by their standards. They won three of their last four World Cup matches across 2014 and 2018, and their 2014 run ended in the quarter-finals. That gives Nestor Lorenzo's side a clear reason to trust their level here, especially with L. Diaz and James Rodrigues carrying the attack.

What Uzbekistan can lean on

Uzbekistan do not arrive empty-handed. Abdukodir Khusanov is a key figure in their back three and has impressed for Manchester City in recent months. The numbers back that up, too, with his recent Premier League outing rated 7.0. Eldor Shomurodov, their captain, brings a proper goals record, with 44 in total for his country and five in qualifying.

That is the spine Fabio Cannavaro will try to build around. If Uzbekistan are going to make this awkward, they need Khusanov to organise the defensive work and Shomurodov to give them something to hold onto at the other end. Luis Javier Suárez and Daniel Muñoz are also part of a Colombia side that should ask the sharper questions.

The expectation is still on Colombia. Their record in recent World Cups is stronger, their attack carries more proven quality, and Uzbekistan are walking into their first ever World Cup meeting with a side that has already been there, and succeeded, before. If Colombia start cleanly, the opener should look like the kind of match that shows why they were seeded to carry the pressure here.

Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →