REUTERS, Mexico City

It was 12 years ago that Colombia forward James Rodriguez announced himself at the World Cup in Brazil - and though he led his side out for their 2026 opener on Wednesday, it was teammate Luis Diaz who showed he could be the main man this year.

Diaz was the architect of his side’s 3-1 Group K win over tournament debutants Uzbekistan at a raucous Azteca Stadium that was filled to the brim with loud and proud Colombia supporters.

Although 29 years old, it is the first World Cup for Diaz as he made a late breakthrough in his career, at Portuguese side Porto, and Colombia did not qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

He certainly showed he would make the most of his opportunity over the next few weeks as, not long after hitting the post, he sent a sumptuous ball over the top for teammate Daniel Munoz to hook into the net on the turn.

Although Uzbekistan equalised on the hour mark, Diaz burst forward five minutes later to slot the ball in, his first World Cup goal restoring his side’s lead.

The loudest cheers before kickoff were when talisman Rodriguez was shown on the big screen, but that was beaten by the deafening roar that greeted Diaz’s substitution in the third minute of stoppage time.

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