Colombia Beat Costa Rica 3-1 in World Cup Send-Off at El Campín

Colombia said goodbye to home soil with a 3-1 win over Costa Rica, as of June 2, 2026 . Dávinson Sánchez, Luis Díaz, and Luis Suárez scored in a packed El Campín in Bogotá — a farewell that confirmed La Tricolor's attacking punch while leaving a few defensive questions for coach Néstor Lorenzo to sort before Group K kicks off.

The squad now heads to the World Cup with momentum (as of June 2, 2026). Six wins, three draws, two losses in the last 12 months. Twenty-four goals scored, eleven conceded . Not perfect. But sharp. And headed in the right direction.

How the match unfolded

Lorenzo sent out a starting XI of Camilo Vargas; Santiago Arias, Dávinson Sánchez, Willer Ditta, Johan Mojica; Richard Ríos, Jorge Carrascal, Gustavo Puerta; Luis Díaz, Juan Camilo Hernández, and Carlos Andrés Gómez (as of June 2, 2026).

Sánchez opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Díaz doubled the lead in the 24th. Andrey Soto pulled one back for Costa Rica in the 32nd, but Suárez sealed it in the 81st to restore the two-goal cushion .

Colombia dominated possession — 68.3% to Costa Rica's 31.7% — and outshot the visitors 10 to 6 . The control was clear. So was the defensive lapse that let Soto score. El Espectador flagged those moments as areas Lorenzo needs to correct before the tournament (as of June 2, 2026).

Díaz leads from the front

Luis Díaz wore the captain's armband and delivered. Again. His goal in the 24th minute was his 22nd for Colombia at international level — 14 of them scored under Lorenzo .

The numbers over the last 12 months tell the story: 1,792 national-team minutes, 9 goals, 3 assists across 21 appearances. At club level with Bayern München, he has been even more prolific — 4,065 minutes, 26 goals, 19 assists in 51 matches (as of June 2, 2026).

Díaz is the standard-bearer. The rest of the squad knows it. So will every opponent in Group K.

What's next — San Diego camp and a Jordan friendly

The farewell at El Campín closes the home chapter. El Colombiano reported that Colombia will travel to San Diego, California on June 4 to continue preparations, including a further friendly against Jordan before the World Cup opener .

That opener is against Uzbekistan on June 17 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Then DR Congo on June 23 at Estadio Akron in Zapopan. And the group finale: Colombia vs. Portugal on June 27 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens .

Portugal is the headliner. That match will likely decide who tops Group K. But Lorenzo and his players know the first two fixtures are where World Cup campaigns are built or broken.

The full 26-player squad

Selección Colombia named 26 players for the World Cup 2026. Here is the complete roster, with national-team form over the last 12 months.

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

Key players to watch in Group K

Luis Díaz is the obvious name. But this squad has depth beyond the captain.

James Rodríguez has 1,542 NT minutes in the last 12 months with 4 goals and 9 assists in 22 appearances. He remains the creative engine, now playing his club football at Minnesota United in MLS (as of June 2, 2026).

Jefferson Lerma, the Crystal Palace midfielder, anchors the center with 1,356 NT minutes and 18 appearances. He does the work that lets Díaz and Rodríguez operate (as of June 2, 2026).

Luis Suárez at Sporting CP is the wild card. Only 253 NT minutes but 4 goals in 4 appearances. At club level: 35 goals in 51 matches. If Lorenzo needs a goal off the bench, Suárez is the option (as of June 2, 2026).

And Jhon Arias, with 1,240 NT minutes across 18 caps, provides width and consistency on the right (as of June 2, 2026).

How Colombia's recent form stacks up

The 3-1 over Costa Rica caps a productive stretch. Here are Colombia's last 11 results:

The losses to France and Croatia in March are a reminder that top-tier opposition can punish Colombia. But the 4-0 demolition of Mexico away, the 3-0 over Australia, and a draw with Argentina away show this team can compete with anyone.

Twenty-four goals in 11 matches. The attack works. The question — as the Costa Rica match hinted — is whether the defense can hold against Portugal.

When does Colombia play at the World Cup 2026?

Group K schedule:

Who are the top scorers in Colombia's squad over the last 12 months?

Luis Díaz leads with 9 national-team goals in 21 appearances. James Rodríguez has 4 goals in 22 caps. Luis Suárez has 4 goals in just 4 appearances. Jhon Córdoba adds 2 goals from 11 caps. At club level, Suárez tops everyone with 35 goals in 51 matches at Sporting CP (as of June 2, 2026).

What formation did Lorenzo use against Costa Rica?

Lorenzo started with Vargas in goal; Arias, Sánchez, Ditta, and Mojica across the back; Ríos, Carrascal, and Puerta in midfield; with Díaz, Hernández, and Gómez in attack . The shape allowed Díaz to drift centrally while Gómez and Hernández provided width.

How many players are in Colombia's World Cup 2026 squad?

Néstor Lorenzo named 26 players for the tournament . The roster features three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders, and eight forwards — a balance tilted toward attacking depth.

Why does the Portugal match matter most in Group K?

Portugal are the group's top-seeded team. The June 27 finale at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens is likely the match that determines who finishes first in Group K. A win for Colombia could mean a more favorable Round-of-32 draw. A loss might not eliminate them — but it could set up a much harder path (as of June 2, 2026).

See the projected squad
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