Colombia x Brazil: After personal drama, Luis Diaz’s father is moved by his son’s goals | International football

Manny Diaz watched the match from the stands of the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla, along with family members and the First Lady of Colombia, Veronica Alcocer.

The attacker’s father Liverpool He was kidnapped on October 28 by National Liberation Army (ELN) fighters, who were conducting peace negotiations with the local government. The player was excluded from two club matches during this period.

He returned in the 1-1 draw with Luton Town, while his father was still in NLA custody, scoring the goal that sealed the result for Liverpool and making a statement calling for his father’s release. On the ninth day, Manny Diaz was saved. The two did not meet again until last Tuesday.

For the first time, Luis Diaz scored two goals in one match while wearing a Colombia shirt. He reached 11 in 44 matches for his country.

Colombia reached nine points and ranks third in the qualifiers. In the next round, the team will face Paraguay, on Tuesday, at Defensores del Chaco Stadium.