Uzbekistan suffers 2:0 defeat against Canada ahead of World Cup debut

The encounter drew an impressive crowd of over 50,000 spectators, creating a vibrant atmosphere in the Canadian city. The first half of the match remained goalless, with both teams adopting a cautious tactical approach, though the pitch saw plenty of physical battles and intense midfield duels. Uzbekistan’s starting lineup featured key players, including Abdukodir Khusanov, Odiljon Hamrobekov, and Oston Urunov, who attempted to break through the hosts' defense.

The home side seized control of the game after the interval. The deadlock was finally broken in the 58th minute when Jonathan Osorio found the back of the net to put Canada ahead. Uzbekistan pushed for an equalizer but struggled to convert their chances. Canada then sealed their victory deep into stoppage time, with Jayden Nelson scoring the second goal to finalize the 2:0 scoreline.

As one of the co-hosts of the upcoming 2026 World Cup, Canada automatically qualified for the tournament and is using these fixtures to fine-tune their squad. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan has made history by securing a spot in the World Cup finals for the very first time. The team management has scheduled test matches against top-tier global opposition to prepare the players for the tournament's intensity. Following the match in Edmonton, the Uzbek national team will travel to face the Netherlands in their next international friendly.