gustavo puerta is in the middle of Colombia’s sharpest selection call before the debut against Uzbekistan. Néstor Lorenzo must choose whether he or Richard Ríos joins Jefferson Lerma in midfield, with the staff built around five defensive midfielders to keep the opener balanced.
Lerma Holds the Spot
Lerma is projected as the fixed piece in the starting lineup. The open slot beside him is the one under review, and the final eleven will be set in the sessions before the match against the Asian side.
That leaves Colombia with one direct decision in front of kickoff: stability with Puerta’s profile, or continuity with Ríos. The staff has already structured the squad with five defensive midfielders in a 26-player list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and this choice will shape the first-match midfield mix.
Ríos Brings Recent Minutes
Ríos has been the more established starter since Copa América 2024, and he also had activity in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Even so, his recent run has been uneven, with variable form in the latest World Cup qualifiers, March friendlies, and preparation matches against Costa Rica and Jordan.
Those performances keep him in the frame, but they also explain why the decision has not been settled early. Colombia is not changing the entire midfield; it is choosing one partner for Lerma, and that keeps the discussion narrow.
Puerta’s Range for Colombia
Puerta is the direct alternative because of his physical range, passing accuracy and long-range shooting. At 22 years, he gives the staff a different set of tools for a debut that begins with Uzbekistan and demands control in central areas.
Kevin Castaño and Juan Camilo Portilla complete the group of defensive midfielders. Castaño is in the squad despite not having continuity at River Plate, while Portilla remains a rotation option after meeting the technical requirements when he has played with the national team.
For Colombia, the immediate task is simple: lock in the second holding-midfield role before the sessions end. Lerma is set, the squad was built for balance, and the last call now sits between Puerta’s profile and Ríos’s recent experience.
