2026 World Cup: A Night to Forget for Fabio Cannavaro

Colombia made a convincing debut in Group K of the 2026 World Cup. The “Cafeteros” set the pace right from the start, controlling possession and looking for openings against Uzbekistan’s well-organized defense. The goal came in the 40th minute, when Daniel Muñoz finished off a team move to make it 1-0, putting the South Americans ahead at halftime.

In the second half, Uzbekistan fought back and, in the 60th minute, scored a historic equalizer through Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who netted the Asian nation’s first-ever goal in a World Cup final tournament. However, the enthusiasm of Cannavaro’s team was short-lived: just four minutes later, Luis Díaz, Colombia’s driving force, produced a moment of pure brilliance to put his team back in front, 2-1. In the closing minutes, the Uzbeks tried to pour forward, but without creating any real danger. In stoppage time, in the 98th minute, Jaminton Campaz sealed the victory with a goal to make it 3-1.

Meanwhile, just as the match between Ghana and Panama seemed destined to end scoreless, stoppage time delivered a decisive twist. In the 95th minute, Brandon Thomas-Asante delivered a perfect assist to Caleb Yirenkyi, who beat the opposing goalkeeper from close range to make it 1-0.

This was an invaluable victory for Ghana, which now has three points and joins England at the top of Group L following England’s 4-2 win over Croatia. The next matchday, scheduled for June 23, will pit Ghana against England in a head-to-head clash that could determine the group leader. Meanwhile, Panama and Croatia will be fighting for a crucial piece of their own hopes of advancing.