Luis Diaz scored twice as Colombia stunned Brazil 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier, days after his father was released by kidnappers.
The Liverpool forward netted twice in four minutes late in the second half, watched by his father Luiz Manuel Diaz who was held for 12 days by his captives.
Wearing a Colombia jersey and a necklace, Diaz Snr collapsed, overcome with emotion, and had to be propped up by the fans around him in the stands of the Metropolitano Stadium, and wept next to his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, as he celebrated.
Luis Manuel Diaz was held for nearly two weeks in a mountainous region by the ELN guerrilla group and was finally reunited with his family on Tuesday.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli had put Brazil in front after just four minutes.
Colombia’s first win over Brazil for eight years lifts them into third in the South American qualifying table, with Brazil, who suffered a second successive defeat in the competition, down to fifth.
‘I thank God,’ said the Liverpool star after the game. ‘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,’ Luis Díaz said after the match. “We deserved this victory.’
Diaz was embraced by his Liverpool teammate and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson after the match who delighted for his friend despite his own side’s defeat.
‘He is a friend, he suffered a lot these days,’ said Brazil’s No.1. ‘This is beyond soccer, he deserves it.’
