🎥 Colombia dominate Uzbekistan, Luis Diaz is 🪄! Ghana edge Panama late! | OneFootball

Colombia made no mistake on their debut and, led by their star Luis Diaz, who provided a goal and an assist, beat Uzbekistan at Mexico City Stadium. With this win, the South Americans moved to the top of Group K, helped by Portugal’s draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

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For Uzbekistan, regardless of the defeat, it was a historic moment. Fabio Cannavaro’s national team was in fact making its World Cup debut. 

Los Cafeteros started at full throttle and came close to scoring several times in the opening half hour alone. It was only a matter of time before Lorenzo’s side broke the deadlock and, right at the end of the first half, Luis Diaz came to life with a pinpoint assist for Muñoz to make it 1-0.

Uzbekistan, however, refused to give up and found an immediate equalizer at the start of the second half, one that smelled of history, through Fayzullaev. The Asians’ joy was short-lived, with Colombia responding straight away to retake the lead just five minutes later. After setting up the first goal, Diaz did it himself this time and beat Yusupov with a low strike. 

In stoppage time, the South Americans wrapped things up for good with Campaz, who headed home to make it 3-1.

There was no shortage of drama during the match, though. One moment in particular. Uzbek player Kushanov was involved in an incident that went viral within minutes. In trying to stop Luis Diaz on the break, the Asian player went into the Colombian’s legs but in the collision also hit the cameraman on the sideline, who was literally bowled over.

Ghana-Panama 1-0

Ghana got off to the right start and beat Panama 1-0 at the end of a balanced, hard-fought match, decided only in stoppage time. In Toronto, the Black Stars found the winning goal in the 95th minute through Caleb Yirenkyi, who finished off Brandon Thomas-Asante’s assist and finally broke the Central American side’s resistance.

For large stretches of the match, Panama looked the better side in terms of play. Thomas Christiansen’s team managed possession better and created the more dangerous chances, but could not find the decisive touch. Ghana struggled, stayed compact and gradually grew into the game as the minutes passed.

The match came alive in the second half, but the score still seemed destined to remain level. Just when 0-0 looked inevitable, the moment that changed everything arrived: in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Brandon Thomas-Asante found space on the right and delivered a perfect ball for Yirenkyi, who made no mistake from close range and scored the winner. Ghana are now second in Group L, level on points with England.

There was also no shortage of good-luck rituals in the stands at Toronto Stadium. A video of a Ghana fan went viral after he, in his own way, called on the help of supernatural forces. And what can you say, it worked.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

📸 YURI CORTEZ - AFP or licensors