Luis Manuel Diaz, father of Liverpool and Colombia winger Luis Diaz, wept as his son scored both goals to help his country beat Brazil 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier; Diaz's father was held captive for 12 days before being released last week; Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay stunned Argentina 2-0
Friday 17 November 2023 13:41, UK
Luis Diaz scored twice as Colombia stunned Brazil 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier, with his father watching in the stands days after he was released by kidnappers.
The Liverpool winger found the net twice in four minutes late in the second half to hand Colombia their first win over Brazil in eight years.
After the match, Diaz said: "I thank God. He makes it all possible.
"We have always lived tough moments but life makes you strong and brave. So is soccer and so is life. We deserved this victory."
Luis Manuel Diaz, who had been held by the ELN guerrilla group for 12 days before being freed last week, wept as his son won the game for his country.
Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli had put Brazil in front after just four minutes but the Selecao are now fifth in South American Qualifying, with Colombia up to third.
Alisson, Brazil's goalkeeper and Diaz's Liverpool team-mate, said of the Colombian match-winner: "He is a friend. He suffered a lot these days.
"This is beyond soccer. He deserves it."
On a night of surprises in South American qualifying, goals from Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez saw Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay beat Argentina 2-0.
Lionel Messi struggled to impose himself, hitting the crossbar in the second half as Argentina's 100 per cent record since lifting the World Cup last December was ended.
Uruguay's win lifts them to second in the table, two points behind Argentina.
Venezuela are in fourth after a goalless draw with Ecuador, while Chile and Paraguay also drew 0-0.
Bolivia won the battle of the bottom two with a 2-0 victory over Peru.
