A day that began with hope for Latin America’s two teams in action at the 2026 World Cup ended in sharply different moods — Colombia flying at the top of their group, Panama sunk by the cruelest of late goals.
Los Cafeteros fly
Colombia announced themselves as a side to watch with a 3-1 win over tournament debutants Uzbekistan at a packed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where a crowd of more than 80,000 — many in Colombian yellow — turned the host nation’s cathedral into something close to a home ground. Néstor Lorenzo’s team controlled the first half and led through Daniel Muñoz in the 40th minute, but the night belonged to Luis Díaz.
The Bayern Munich winger set up Muñoz’s opener, hit the post, and restored Colombia’s lead in the 65th minute after Uzbekistan had drawn level through Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s historic equalizer — the Central Asian side’s first-ever World Cup goal. Substitute Jaminton Campaz headed in late in stoppage time to seal it. The Copa América runners-up, back at the World Cup after missing Qatar 2022, now sit top of Group K.
Panama’s heartbreak
In Toronto, the story could hardly have been more different. Thomas Christiansen’s Panama, at only their second World Cup, defended for long stretches and looked set to claim the first World Cup point in the nation’s history. Then, in the 95th minute, Ghana substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante broke down the left and squared for 20-year-old Caleb Yirenkyi to tap home the latest winner of the tournament so far. Panama have now lost all four matches they have ever played at a World Cup. Cecilio Waterman, Amir Murillo and Ismael Díaz all had moments, but Los Canaleros came away with nothing.
The group picture
Both results sit inside groups shaped by the day’s other games. In Group K, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by debutants DR Congo earlier in the day — a stumble that left the door open for Colombia to seize top spot. In Group L, England’s 4-2 win over Croatia, powered by a Harry Kane double, leaves Panama third and facing a steep climb, with England and Croatia still to come. The top two from each of the 12 groups advance to the new Round of 32, along with the eight best third-place finishers — so even a difficult opening loss need not end Panama’s hopes.
What’s next
Both regional sides return Tuesday, June 23: Colombia face DR Congo in Guadalajara looking to all but secure progress, while Panama meet Croatia in Toronto in what already feels like a must-not-lose. For Costa Rican fans following a World Cup without a Tico team, the region still offers plenty to cheer — and, on this evidence, plenty of drama.
