Colombia defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in their opening World Cup group stage match in Mexico City on Wednesday.
Right-back Daniel Munoz scored late in the first half at the Estadio Azteca.
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Munoz found the net in the 41st minute by sliding a shot with the tip of his boot past the Uzbek goalkeeper after a precise pass from winger Luis Díaz.
Prior to the breakthrough, Díaz nearly opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when his long-range strike hit the far post.
Portugal Manager Defends Ronaldo
Portugal national team manager Roberto Martinez defended his decision to start Cristiano Ronaldo in their disappointing 1-1 opening draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Despite the 41-year-old forward recording only 25 touches, Martinez said, "If you are looking for goals, you simply need Cristiano."
Martinez emphasized the strategic value of the veteran forward beyond individual statistics during high-stakes tournament matches.
"For us, in such moments, Cristiano's experience in the penalty area is very important.
The way he attracts defenders and how we can use the space is crucial," Martinez said.
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FIFA Removes Hateful Comments
FIFA announced that its content moderation systems have actively removed 388,000 hateful online comments from 3.8 million reviewed posts since the tournament began on June 11.
Former Liberia striker and FIFA panel member George Weah said, "Looking back, nothing has changed."
Weah noted that social media platforms continue to host discriminatory behavior despite decades of anti-racism campaigns within global football infrastructure.
"I experienced racist insults when racism was at its peak. But we are still talking about it today.
That's why we fight, we try to educate young people so they grow up to be loving people, not just people who love the game.
Discrimination has no place in our society," Weah said.
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Medical officials in Rio de Janeiro confirmed that 83-year-old former Brazil manager Carlos Alberto Parreira, who led Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title, has been hospitalized while battling Hodgkin's lymphoma.
