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Football

17th Nov 2023

Luis Diaz’s father breaks down in tears as son scores in emotional win

Callum Boyle

Diaz’s father was in the crowd for the win against Brazil

Luis Diaz’s father broke down in tears as he watched his son score both of Colombia’s goals in a famous win against Brazil on Thursday night.

Luis Manuel Diaz was reunited with the Liverpool winger earlier this week after he was held hostage by rebels for 12 days.

Returning to the stands for the first time, he was visibly overwhelmed as he fell to the floor and wept while being held up by fellow supporters around them.

Colombia spent a large spell of the game trailing after Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli put Brazil in front in the fourth minute.

Diaz stepped up when his country needed him most, scoring twice in four minutes to turn the game on its head and secure a vital win in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“I thank God,” the Liverpool man said after the game.

“He makes it all possible. We have always lived tough moments, but life makes you strong and brave. So is football and so is life. We deserved this victory.”

Alisson Becker, who played in goal for Brazil on Thursday night, added: “He is a friend, he suffered a lot these days. This is beyond football, he deserves it.”

Both of the 26-year-old’s parents were abducted by armed men on motorcycles petrol station in the town of Barrancas, which is located on Colombia’s border alongside Venezuela on October 28.

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