Colombia made a winning return to the World Cup as Luis Diaz starred in a 3-1 victory over tournament debutants Uzbekistan.

The Bayern Munich winger scored and provided an assist for Daniel Munoz's volley at Mexico City Stadium, where substitute Jaminton Campaz sealed all three points late on.

Back at the finals after an eight-year absence, Colombia quickly settled into their rhythm and went close in the 17th minute, when Jhon Arias flashed a 20-yard strike narrowly wide of the near post.

Nestor Lorenzo's side went closer when Diaz struck the post in the 32nd minute. However, they made the breakthrough in spectacular fashion eight minutes later, with Munoz latching onto Diaz's clipped ball into the box and volleying home on the turn.

Uzbekistan struggled to impose themselves on their World Cup bow, but equalised against the run of play on the hour mark.

Dostonbek Khamdamov kept an attack alive by crossing for Eldor Shomurodov, whose well-struck volley was blocked and ricocheted across the six-yard area, with Abbosbek Fayzullaev nodding into an empty net. 

Fabio Cannavaro's side were level for just five minutes, though, with a sweeping counter-attack culminating in Gustavo Puerta feeding Diaz, whose shot crept in beyond the weak palm of Utkir Yusupov.

Colombia put the contest beyond any doubt in the eighth minute of stoppage time, as Cucho Hernandez did brilliantly to dig out a marvellous deep cross, which was nodded in by Campaz from close range, before Bekhruz Karimov rattled the woodwork at the other end.

Colombia steal early march in Group K

Following Portugal's draw with DR Congo earlier on Wednesday, both sides knew this was a chance to put distance between themselves and the group favourites.

Colombia always looked the side more willing to grasp that opportunity. They dominated the first half, with 72% of possession, but were lacking a cutting edge for large parts of it.

It was not until the 40th minute that they registered their first shot on goal, courtesy of Munoz, who produced the kind of finish the likes of Diaz and James Rodriguez would have been proud of.

Munoz has now scored four goals in his 47 appearances for Colombia, with each of his last three strikes coming in major tournaments.

Uzbekistan's nervy start was highlighted by the fact they failed to record a single touch in the opposing box during the first half, making them the only side so far at this World Cup to do that. At that point, they had registered an xG of just 0.02, but their first touch in the opposing box led to their first World Cup goal, with Fayzullaev in the right place to earn the honour of scoring it.

The joy was short-lived, though, as sloppiness in the middle of the park was ruthlessly punished by Diaz, who became only the second Colombian to score and assist in a single World Cup match after a certain James against Japan 12 years ago.

Diaz also led the way with touches in the opposing box (six), total duels (12) and duels won (eight).

The former Liverpool flyer has been involved in a goal in each of his last six competitive appearances for Colombia (four goals, four assists), with the winger providing three assists across his last three matches in this run.