In a World Cup where superstars have stepped up, Luis Diaz joined the party by registering a goal and an assist in Colombia’s 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.
On this evidence Diaz has no intention of watching Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane dominate the spotlight alone.
Diaz arrived at the tournament with little fanfare but his haul of 49 goal involvements in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich across all competitions tells you the level the flying winger has been operating at.
He ran the show for Colombia, who were reliant on Diaz’s creative spark in opening the scoring when Daniel Munoz hooked home a fantastic finish via defence-shattering pass from the winger.
The World Cup debutants levelled on 60 minutes when Abbosbek Fayzullaev headed home with one of their first attacks.
Diaz then took matters into his own hands five minutes later, finishing into the far corner to hand the advantage back to the South Americans.
Substitute Jaminton Campaz finally ended any doubt as he headed in Cucho Hernandez’s cross nine minutes into stoppage time, although Uzbekistan’s Bekhruz Karimov still had time to crash a shot against the crossbar.
The key moments from Mexico City…
-
31: Diaz has Colombia’s first big chance but hits the post
-
35: GOAL! Munoz shows incredible technique to hook Colombia in front
-
60: GOAL! Fayzullaev makes history by scoring Uzbekistan’s first ever World Cup goal
-
65: GOAL! Colombia are soon back in front as Diaz fires home to get the goal his performance deserved
-
90+8: GOAL! Campaz heads home from Hernandez’s cross to seal the deal
The World Cup of the superstar
Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones:
“Now that we’ve seen all 48 teams in action at the World Cup, the picture is beginning to take shape. Some look like genuine contenders, others look capable of being the dark horses and a select few appear to have about as much chance of going deep in this tournament as a cabbage winning a beauty prize.
“This has been a World Cup so far for moments of genius – where the superstars are coming out to play. No superstar in your ranks, you’re going to struggle.
“Mbappe, Messi, Haaland, Kane and Diaz are all revelling in the spotlight. Such is life at a World Cup. It’s been fun. And there is so much more to come.”
