New Delhi, June 18: Colombia kicked off their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with a 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan in Group K on Wednesday. Goals from Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz, and Jaminton Campaz secured the win. However, head coach Nestor Lorenzo expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance, feeling it fell short of their best.
After the match, Lorenzo stated, “In the first half, we could have created a bigger advantage. Our finishing was lacking. Their players were often too cautious with possession and failed to convert good moves into goals. No one was able to complete the moves.”
The stadium hosted over 80,000 spectators, with most fans proudly supporting their team in Colombia jerseys.
Lorenzo praised the passionate support from the fans but noted it might have added pressure on some team members. “I think it was related to the emotional burden of the first match and the responsibility of being favorites,” he remarked.
Regarding captain James Rodriguez, Lorenzo commented, “It wasn’t his best match, but he didn’t play poorly. He shut down areas where James usually excels. He wasn’t the hero, but he contributed significantly in possession.”
Colombia’s next match is set for Tuesday against DR Congo in Guadalajara. They aim to secure a win to edge closer to the knockout stage, but Lorenzo emphasized that they will not underestimate DR Congo, who held Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opening match.
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