Colombia, Ghana, and England secure opening victories in World Cup Group L

The first matchday of World Cup Group L delivered decisive results across three matches. Colombia claimed a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan, with midfielder Muñoz scoring in the 40th minute following an assist from Luis Diaz. The South American side dominated possession after an initial period of tactical setup, creating multiple scoring opportunities while Uzbekistan's defense, managed by Fabio Cannavaro, held firm for much of the match.

In Toronto, Ghana secured a dramatic 1-0 win over Panama through a 95th-minute goal by Yirenkyi, assisted by Thomas-Asante. The match remained tightly contested throughout, with both sides producing limited clear-cut chances. Ghana's late breakthrough proved decisive, giving the team managed by Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz three crucial points.

England delivered a commanding performance at Dallas Stadium, defeating Croatia 4-2 in a match marked by goal-heavy exchanges. Harry Kane proved instrumental, scoring twice from the penalty spot and open play. England reached a 2-2 halftime scoreline following Kane's early penalty conversion and a subsequent free-kick header, with Croatia equaling twice through strikes by Baturina and Musa. England accelerated significantly in the second half, with Jude Bellingham adding a third goal in the 47th minute and Marcus Rashford completing the scoring at 85 minutes.

After the opening round, Ghana and England were level on points at the top of Group L, with Ghana's superior goal differential giving them a slight advantage. Colombia's victory positioned them as strong contenders, while Uzbekistan and Panama faced early pressure to recover in their remaining group matches.