Live updates: Uzbekistan vs Colombia

Live updates: Uzbekistan vs Colombia

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By Henry Hanson

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153

Key Events

22

Uzbekistan vs Colombia

5

Ghana vs Panama

42

England vs Croatia

51

Match reports

2

Goals

7

Portugal vs Congo DR

34

Teams out of the tunnel

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By Pokuah Frimpong

Both sides are out of the tunnel in front of a packed crowd inside Mexico City Stadium.

No surprises who the crowd is going for. Colombian fans colouring the stadium yellow.

Stars coming out to play

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By Pokuah Frimpong

Yesterday, the stars showed up and showed out.

In case you missed any of it, you can catch up with this piece all about the world's best.

Cannavaro says Uzbekistan must embrace World Cup debut against Colombia

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By Pokuah Frimpong

Reuters

Coach Fabio Cannavaro said Uzbekistan have nothing to lose as they make their World Cup debut against Colombia today and urged his players to enjoy the biggest moment in the country's football history.

Cannavaro said he had drawn on his own memories from captaining Italy to the World Cup title in 2006 to help his players manage the emotion and pressure of their first appearance on the game's biggest stage.

"I try ​to help remove the pressure," Cannavaro told reporters on Tuesday. "The stage is tough. I try to explain ​to them to enjoy it because it's the first time, and we don't have anything ⁠to lose.

"But it doesn't mean that we will just be enjoying the moment. We know that we need ​to fight."

The 2006 Ballon d'Or winner said he had spoken to the squad about the experience of arriving ​at a World Cup and the importance of appreciating a moment many of them will remember for the rest of their careers.

A key figure will be centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, who is expected to play a central role in Cannavaro's defensive plan.

"He ​knows how to control ⁠the situation, he knows how to control the pressure," Cannavaro said. "The guys are like a family behind him; he can play every position."

Khusanov's rise at Manchester City reflects the growing presence of Uzbek football at the top level of European football.

Match Report: Yirenkyi's last-gasp winner seals 1-0 victory for Ghana over Panama

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By Pokuah Frimpong

Reuters

Caleb Yirenkyi scored deep into stoppage time to ​earn Ghana a 1-0 victory over ‌Panama in World Cup Group L on Wednesday, local time, earning the African side a crucial ​three points in their bid to ​reach the knockout stage for the ⁠first time since 2010.

Yirenkyi's goal ​came in the 95th minute after Thomas-Asante ​skipped past Panama defender Jose Cordoba and played a pass into the area, which the ​20-year-old Yirenkyi bundled home.

Panama threw everyone ​forward for a late free kick in a ‌desperate ⁠attempt to get an equaliser, but Ghana hung on.

Cecilio Waterman's curling strike in the second minute forced an excellent ​save from ​Ghana goalkeeper ⁠Lawrence Ati Zigi, who was replaced by Benjamin Asare ​at the start of the second ​half ⁠due to injury.

Ghana next face Group L leaders England. Panama will try to ⁠secure ​their first World Cup ​win when they take on Croatia.

Colombia coach Lorenzo warns against underestimating Uzbekistan

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By Pokuah Frimpong

Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo ​warned his side against complacency on Tuesday, declaring that the World Cup's opening week had shown there ‌were no easy opponents ahead of their clash against Uzbekistan.

The South Americans return to the world's biggest football stage after missing the 2022 tournament and enter the match as favourites, but Lorenzo cautioned against underestimating an Uzbekistan side making their World Cup debut.

"The World Cup is showing ​us that there are no small teams, and nobody should be underestimated," Lorenzo told reporters ahead of today's ​match at the Azteca stadium.

"Uzbekistan have had very good results against good teams; they have ⁠a great coach and four or five players of real quality.

"Above all, they are an organised team that knows ​exactly how it wants to play."

Colombia forward Luis Suarez echoed that warning.

"This first match day shows there are no favourites anywhere," he ​told reporters. "We are at a World Cup, and we have a huge responsibility to compete against any opponent."

Winger Carlos Gomez added that Colombia were wary of Uzbekistan's speed on the break.

"They play very well. They are a fast team, they play in transition, so we have to ​be very careful with that."

Colombia arrive in Mexico with momentum after an impressive qualifying campaign ​and a squad led by Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz and veteran playmaker James Rodriguez.

More than 65,000 Colombian supporters are expected at the Azteca, where yellow shirts have become a common sight across Mexico City in the days leading up to the match.

Reuters

Colombia vs Uzbekistan Starting XI

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By Pokuah Frimpong

Strong line-ups from both sides as Colombian hero James Rodríguez starts in what could be his last World Cup.

Colombia: Camilo Vargas, Daniel Munoz, Jhon Lucumi, Gustavo Puerta, Johan ⁠Mojica, ​Davinson Sanchez, James Rodriguez, ​Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Luis Diaz, Luis Suarez.

This is Uzbekistan's first appearance at the World Cup, and no major surprises. Abdukodir Khusanov has a strong presence in defence..

Uzbekistan: Utkir Yusupov, ​Abdukodir Khusanov, ​Rustam ⁠Ashurmatov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Abdulla Abdullaev, Behruzjon Karimov, Akmal Mozgovoy, ​Otabek Shukurov, Oston Urunov, Abbosbek ​Fayzullaev, ⁠Eldor Shomurodov.

Ghana vs Panama FT stats

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By Pokuah Frimpong

Expected goals: GHA 1.25-0.75 PAN

Shots on goal: GHA 2-4 PAN

Possession: GHA 38%-62% PAN

Big chances created: GHA 1-2 PAN

Big chances missed: GHA 0-2 PAN

FT: Ghana pull off late escape to secure all three points

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By Pokuah Frimpong

WOW!!!

After a first half in which Panama dominated with possession and chances at goal, and Ghana on the back foot.

Key substitutions from Carlos Queiroz really changed the game for Ghana in the second half.

Brandon Thomas-Asnate was the difference maker, able to find Caleb Yirenkyi, who secures Ghana the all-important three points.

90+8 Tempers starting to flair

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By Pokuah Frimpong

Panamanian keeper Orlando Mosquera comes up for the side's corner. He can get his head onto the ball, head it down, and the subsequent header goes straight into the hands of Benjamin Asare, who takes a kick to the hand.

Ghana's players react and there's a scuffle between the players.

90+4' GOAL GHANA

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By Pokuah Frimpong

CALEB YIRENKYI, WHAT A MOMENT TO GET YOUR FIRST GOAL!!!

By far Ghana's best moment of the game, Semenyo does expertly to find Brandon Thomas-Asante, who, after beating a couple of Panama players, looks up and crosses it into the path of Yirenkyi, who just slots it in for the net.

90' More Panama subs

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By Pokuah Frimpong

On: Anibal Godoy

OFF: Cesar Blackman

90' 6 minutes added on

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By Pokuah Frimpong

90' Ghana best chance of the game

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By Pokuah Frimpong

Antoine Semenyo does nicely to find the run of Brandon Thomas-Asante, who gets his shot saved.

The flag goes up, the goal wouldn't have stood if he had scored.

87' Ghana subs

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By Pokuah Frimpong

ON: Prince Edu

OFF: Jordan Ayew

87' Panama send shot over the crossbar

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By Pokuah Frimpong

Edgar Yoel Barcenas attempt goes well over the crossbar. Panama did well to find him on the edge of the box, but he can't keep the shot down.

Game wide open

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By Pokuah Frimpong

Plenty of time for both teams.

Both coaches have made attacking changes because they know they need a result from this game.

Both sides have had good attacking spells.

78' More Ghana subs

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By Pokuah Frimpong

ON: Kwasi Sibo

OFF: Elisha Owusu

74' Panama subs

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By Pokuah Frimpong

ON: Ismael Diaz

OFF: Jose Luis Rodriguez