For years, Colombia has been perceived as the underdog in South American football, especially in the context of the World Cup.
Despite their persistent efforts, they’ve never quite broken into the elite circle dominated by Brazil, with its five World Cup victories, Argentina with four, and Uruguay with two.
On a couple of occasions, Colombia entered the tournament with high expectations. During the first World Cup held in the United States, the team faced a heartbreaking moment when their revered captain, Andres Escobar, accidentally scored an own goal against the USA, ultimately pushing Colombia to the bottom of their group and leading to their exit.
Tragically, this mistake cost Escobar dearly upon his return to Colombia, where he was tragically shot six times in a car park in Medellin, a city once infamous as a hub for drug trafficking.
Another time, when Colombia seemed poised to make a deep run in the tournament, they encountered Brazil—a formidable opponent that halted their progress.
Luis Diaz celebrates after scoring the second goal for Colombia against UzbekistanÂ
The Colombians were forced to work extremely hard for their win in Mexico CityÂ
Now they are back at the top table. Not as one of the favourites but regarded by some here as dark horses.
Undeterred by tragedies past. Back with tens of thousands of the millions for whom the passion for football never dies.
Back with a decent team given star power by two men who sampled the pressure game on Merseyside. Captain James Rodriguez whose spectacular goals, a few for Everton, made him a contender for best footballer in the world for a while. At 34 can he work the genius one last time? We are finding out.
Luis Diaz set Anfield alight at times. Though not always. Liverpool let him go. Bayern Munich grabbed him and he has the chance here to validate a widening perception of him as the best winger in the world.
Uzbekistan did not come to Guadalajara expected to provide the severest litmus test for those propositions. But they have been reorganised into a resistance movement by a legend of catenaccio defence. Fabio Cannavaro captained Italy to one of their World Cup glories in 2006.
He has led the Uzbeks to this World Cup debut. The odds were always against him taking them much further but he does have one good young ‘un and one good old’un as the backbone of his side. At 22 Abdukodir Khusanov is already a powerful fixture in Manchester City’s defence and an Uzbek national hero.
At the veteran end of the football age scale stands Eldor Shamurodov, the even more idolised captain, playmaker and all-time leading goalscorer.
Could they put Colombia through enough of their paces to bed them into a momentous World Cup? Well, not in a first half when they were overrun.
Not with Colombia raising their sights to new horizons. As they grew into the game the South Americans were unlucky on the half hour not to seize the lead their football deserved as a fierce cross shot from Jhon Aris thundered back off a post and over a flailing goalkeeper.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev celebrates scoring the first goal for Uzbekistan in World Cup history
Jaminton Campaz headed Colombia’s third goal deep into stoppage timeÂ
Ten minutes later they were not so lucky. James the lad split their defence asunder with a lacerating pass which was topped off by an even more exquisite finish. By a Crystal Palace defender, no less. Daniel Munoz came from nowhere, rotated his right foot behind his side in mid-air and steered it home with the outside of his flying boot.
A goal of the tournament contender worthy to be judged alongside a couple of Messi magicals. Then, after only 55 minutes, the Colombian mistake.
They went into keep ball. Threw away possession, went from dashing to dull. Paid the price only five minutes later when Abdulla Abdulsaev equalised. The swings in style and the score kept coming. Another five minutes along came not the number ten bus but a brilliant in off the post effort by Diaz to restore Colombia’s advantage,
Then they went to sleep again. It was almost World Cup USA 1 all over again. Three times the Uzbeks came within a wood splinter of another equaliser.
A leaping header from Jaminton Campaz made it what should have been a comfortable 3-1. Just as well because as Colombia went walkabout again their crossbar was rattled.
Colombia have the talent to change their World Cup fortunes but only if someone tells them that today’s football is always at full throttle.
They call themselves The Coffee Growers. A pity they keep turning down the gas as they are coming to the brew.