Unnecesary Colombian suffering

I was quite excited yesterday, first time in a long time: I would be able to leave work early and go to the legendary Azteca Stadium to see Colombia versus Uzbekistan in the World Cup!

After a lengthy and crowded ride in public transport arrived at the immense and sold-out stadium: a vast crowd of Colombians that surely made it a home-match for the South Americans.

I had no expectations of the Uzbekis: I only know their Manchester City player, Abdukodir Khusanov, and their manager, the legendary Fabio Cannavaro. And I was disappointed: perhaps it was the nerve of the World Cup debut, but it was a team that entered the pitch not to win, but rather not to lose. A five-man defense, with Khusanov in the right, in order to stop the quick Luis Diaz.

Khusanov did not have an easy first half: he was soon booked for a foul on Luis Diaz, who was a constant threat, while James was constantly moving to confuse the defense. Colombia had basically all possession and even a Luis Diaz shot on the post, but relieve only came in the 40th minute when a deep high-ball into the area by Luis Diaz was caught with a high leg by the Crystal Palace defender Daniel Muñoz. 1-0 was deserved.

Uzbekistan did not change much their second half despite them being behind. Colombia had possession, but it seemed nerves started hitting the Colombians - at least the fans were calling for a second goal as the Colombians passed the ball around facing the closed Uzbeki defense. 

Then what happened was unnecessary as well as historical (at least for Uzbeksitan). The first real Uzbeki attack and a high ball that appeared to go out landed with an Uzbeki striker who first timed a precise but weak shot straight at the Colombian goalkeeper, Camilo Vargas, at the near post. The ball hit Vargas in a way that it went straight up behind him, and straight to Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who could easily score Uzbekistan's first ever World Cup goal.

1-1 was so against the match!

But soon after Luis Diaz himself made it 2-1 on a shot towards the far Uzbeki post, in a ball that the Uzbeki goalkeeper Utkir Yusopov should probably have saved.

Thus we see that there is indeed some poor goalkeeping in the World Cup.

2-1 was well-deserved, and Colombia should be in control. Both Luis Diaz and James were substituted as Colombia pulled back to defend the lead, and the Uzbekis pushed forward. The end was unnecessarily nerve-wrecking for the Colombians, who had seen the Uzbekis score, and in the dying minutes they were suddenly in control.

But two of the substitutes saved the day: Cucho Hernandez had come on earlier and fought hard winning a ball during a counterattack, and made a perfect pass into the Uzbeki area where Jaminton Campaz (who had come on for James) could easily head the ball into the Uzbeki goal and make it to a deserved 3-1.

Still, - and this was the most admirable part about the Uzbekis -, Uzbekistan had an incredible shot on the  crossbar in the dying seconds (would surely have been the goal of the tournament!), but it was never enough to deny the Colombians, who despite all the suffering, deserved the victory.

Intense and great match, and most of all, happy to cheer on the Colombian team with all other Colombian fans!