James and Díaz await behind Suárez — three at the back braced
Uzbekistan trust a back three to smother Colombia's loaded front line.
Uzbekistan set up in a 3-4-2-1, Ashurmatov, Khusanov and Abdullaev forming the rearguard, Eldor Shomurodov left alone at the point. The instruction is simple enough: keep three bodies between Colombia and the goal, and pray the structure holds.
Easier said than done. The visitors' 4-2-3-1 tucks James Rodríguez into the pocket behind Luis Javier Suárez, with Luis Díaz and Jhon Arias flanking him and Jefferson Lerma and Gustavo Puerta patrolling the screen. Colombia arrive having won three of their last five — a 3-0 dismissal of Australia among them.
The hosts are not without hope. Igor Sergeev found the net in their most recent outing, a 1-2 defeat to the Netherlands. Both nations have lived in wide-open, high-scoring affairs of late, so much rests on Abbosbek Fayzullaev and Oston Urunov to flip the rearguard into something sudden and dangerous.
The bookmakers, though, make Colombia clear favourites. That front four is the difference. A quiet night feels unlikely.
Written and fact-checked by our AI preview desk from live match data. Refreshed as kickoff nears.
