Uzbekistan 4-0 Kyrgyzstan Highlights, CAFA Nations Cup 2025: UZB Dominate 10-Man KGZ To Seal Final Place

Hello and welcome to the start of our live blog on the Uzbekistan vs Kyrgyzstan match in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025. The qualification threads are finely woven at the moment; Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are still hopeful of making it through to the next stages, although that depends on the result of the Turkmenistan vs Oman match.

The action in Tashkent begins at 8:00 PM IST, so stay tuned for pre-match updates and line-ups as they are released.

Right now, Turkmenistan are 1-1 against Oman, which means that latter are top of the Group A with five points, just one ahead of Uzbekistan. A win tonight will ensure the Uzbeks of a place in the final IF the results stay the way they are in the first match. Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, will not have any hopes of finishing second.

As per available data, Uzbekistan have played Kyrgyzstan 11 times. All 11 matches have been won by Uzbekistan. The last time these two sides met was in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers on 20 March, with Uzbekistan winning 1-0.

Bad news for Uzbekistan, as Oman have won 2-1 against Turkmenistan with a 94th minute winner from Muhsen Al Ghassani. Oman are top of Group A with seven points and a +2 goal difference. Bottom line, Uzbekistan have to win by three goals or more to leapfrog them.

Utkir Yusupov (gk), Khozhiakbar Alizhonov, Khusniddin Alikulov, Aliek Davronov, Khozhimat Erkinov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev, Odildzhon Khamrabekov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Eldor Shomurodov (c)

Erzhan Tokotaev (gk), Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov, Gulzhigit Alykulov, Erbol Atabayev, Arlen Beksulov, Ermek Kenzhebaev, Valeriy Kichin (c), Joel Kojo, Tamirlan Kozubayev, Kai Merk, Alexandr Mishchenko

The referee's whistle goes off in Tashkent, and this vital Group A fixture in Tashkent is underway. Uzbekistan get the ball rolling, and both sides know that they need to win and win big to have any hopes of moving on to the stage they want.

A very bright start from Kyrgyzstan, and their forward forays earn them a free-kick in a dangerous place on the left edge of the box. A terrific strike from a Kyrgyz player leavesYurupov completely beaten, and the ball hits the crossbar and comes back into the play. A sublime effort that deserved a goal, but not to be so.

The first controversy of the match, as Erkinov tried to cut inside but was stopped by a sliding Arlen. Uzbekistan appeal for handball, and the referee has a consultation with VAR. After a two-minute check, the decision is NO PENALTY.

Kyrgyzstan are clearly the strong side in the opening 15 minutes or so, but Uzbekistan are trying to push ahead down the left flank. However, at the moment, it's no threat at all to Tokotaev's goal.

Oooof! Mozgovoy was found by a terrific long ball from defence. One on one against the keeper, and calmly finished down the line to find the back of the net. The celebrations are cut short as the flag goes up for offside. But, hold on, there's a VAR check going on.

And the VAR check confirms the goal! Replays show that Mozgovoy had timed his run perfectly and was a foot onside when the ball was played in, and thus, Uzbekistan take the lead.

Despite going a goal down, Kyrgyzstan have not let the tempo of the match drop, trying to push forward in numbers every time they are getting a chance. A cruching tackle on Alykulov brings the Kyrgyz player down, and he receives some treatment from the physios.

Kyrgyzstan are knocking on Uzbekistan's door at the moment, with Alykulov showing off his footwork to make his way into the box before squaring the ball across the face of the goal, but Khamraliev came sliding in. From the corner, Alykulov cut inside and tried to find the far corner, but it went wide.

Just when it seemed like Kyrgyzstan were making their way back into the game, their captain Valeriy Kichin just made their job way harder. Uzbekistan almost played Fayzullaev through, but the defender pulled him down with a shirt pull. It was a blatant yellow at best, but since it was a last-man tackle, the referee shows him a straight red. There's a VAR check going on, though.

Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates a minimum of three added minutes. Expect more, though, as the red card drama unfolds.

Long VAR check confirms the red card, and Kichin sarcastically applauds the ref as he walks off the pitch. Two out of three added minutes are played, but expect more to be added on.

The referee blows his whistle, and it's half time at the Olympic Stadium in Tashkent. Despite being one-goal down, Kyrgyzstan were often the better team on the pitch, but Kichin's red card has turned the tie on its head, and Uzbekistan will try to sieze their numerical advantage in the second half.

The referee blow shis whislte, and the second half is underway. Two changes for Uzbekistan, with Otabek Shukurov and Oston Urunov coming on. Will Uzbekistan pile the pressure on 10-man Kyrgyzstan early on?

Uzbekistan double their lead just three minutes into the second half. A long ball from the defence searching for Mozgovoy bounces over the defenders' heads. Tokotaev comes rushing out to clear but only manages to clatter with the leg of his own defender Kozubaev, going down. Meanwhile, Erkinov just puts the ball into an empty net. There's, however, a VAR check going on.

The VAR check was about whether Mozgovoy pushed Kozubaev into Tokotaev. In real time, it looked like nothing, and even in replays, it looks like the slightest of touches on the back of the defender. The referee, however, is convinced that it's a foul, and the goal is overturned. Harsh.

Kyrgyzstan make a double change. Tokotaev can't carry on, so he is replaced by Pryadkin. Batyrkanov replaces Alykulov.

Despite their numerical disadvantage and the sheer dominance on the ball by Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan are tryin to win fouls in the middle of the park. They do win one, and then weave their way into the box with one-two touch passes. However, a heavy ball down the flanks ends that move, and Uzbekistan immediately counter.

Uzbekistan float the ball into the box, and Pryadkin can’t catch it mid-air. The ball hits Atabayev as he attempts to close in, but Uzbekistan ask for a handball, and the referee awards a penalty. A lengthy VAR check confirms the decision.

Shukurov is the one standing with the ball.

Kyrgyzstan make a change before the penalty is taken. Once it's taken, though, it's a bullet strike from Otabek Shukurov, as he goes hard and high, hitting the roof of the net with his strike. No chance at all for the goalkeeper.

Uzbekistan make a double change, with Igor Sergeev Azizjon Ganiev coming on. Fresh legs for the White Wolves as they are looking to build from the back and kill the game with a third goal. Remember, they are top of the group as of the moment, with a +3 goal differential. One more and it's done and dusted.

More changes for Uzbekistan, as they look to bury the game. Top of Group A and playing against 10-man, they should be relaxed. They are anything but, pushing hard for the third goal.

And get the third goal they do! Urunov plays the ball to Shukurov on the left, and the winger puts in a peach of a delivery that picks up Sergeev with perfection. All he has to do is divert it goalwards, which he does, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

Uzbekistan are going to the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 finals! Unless something magical turns up from Kyrgyzstan...

The White Wolves are enjoying themselves at the moment. A floated delivery into the box from Alizhonov, and Shukurov attempts to flick it goalwards first time. It goes millimetres wide of the corner post.

The fourth official indicates a minimum of seven added minutes to be played at the end of regulation time. Uzbekistan have a corner kick.

That's game, set, and match for Uzbekistan! It's been a miserable afternoon for Kyrgyzstan ever since Kichin's red card, and their opponents hit a fourth to put their place in the finals beyond any sort of doubt. It's substitute Azizbek Turgunboev who gets his name on the scoresheet.

The full time whistle must have been music to the Kyrgyz players' ears, as it has been an absolute rout in the second half. Kichin's first half red card led to three goals in the second 45 minutes, who now move on to the next stage of the tournament, while Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan are out.

Let's recap. Oman began the day top of Group A, and then won 2-1 against Turkmenistan in today's first match. Then, Uzbekistan won 4-0 against Kyrgyzstan. As a result, both teams are tied on seven points, but Uzbekistan's goal difference of +4 took them over Oman (+2).

So, the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 final will be played between Group A toppers Uzbekistan and Group B toppers Iran.

India, who selaed their place in the third-place playoff match with a 0-0 draw against Afghanistan, will play against Oman.