Days after being released by kidnappers, the father of Colombian striker Luis Diaz cried on Thursday after watching his son score both goals in a 2-1 win over Brazil in a World Cup qualifier.
Luis Manuel Diaz, wearing a Colombia shirt and a necklace, fell on top of some people next to him in the stands of the Metropolitano Stadium and cried next to his wife, Selenis Marulanda, as he celebrated.
Luis Manuel Diaz was held captive for 12 days in a mountainous area by the National Liberation Army rebel group. He was reunited with his family on Tuesday.
Luis Diaz said after the match: “I thank God. He makes everything possible. We have always lived through difficult moments, but life makes you strong and brave. So is football and so is life.” “We deserved this victory.”
Incredible moments outside Colombia!
Luis Diaz scores two goals in five minutes to take the lead over Brazil!
Football ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QdjcKBBEWQ
– ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 17, 2023
Diaz scored both goals with headers, the first in the 75th minute and the second in the 79th minute. This is Colombia’s first victory over Brazil in World Cup qualifiers in 15 matches.
Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, Diaz’s Liverpool teammate, said: “He is a friend. He has suffered a lot these days. This goes beyond football, he deserves it.”
Gunmen on motorcycles kidnapped Diaz’s parents from a gas station in the town of Barrancas on October 28. Police rescued his mother within hours, setting up roadblocks around the town of 40,000 people near the Venezuelan border.
Diaz and Colombia will face Paraguay next Tuesday.
