Luis Diaz scores twice in three minutes in front of his emotional father – days after he was released by kidnappers – to seal sensational comeback win for Colombia over Brazil
- Luis Diaz was the hero for Colombia as his parents cheered him on in the stands
- He scored two quick late goals to lead Colombia to victory against Brazil
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Luis Diaz’s father was watching in the stands as his son scored two goals in three minutes to propel his Colombia side to a comeback victory over Brazil on Wednesday night.
Luis Manuel Díaz was reunited with his son two days in ago in emotional scenes after being released following a 12-day ordeal with his abductors last week and was visibly overwhelmed as his son became the hero on the field with a stunning display.
Diaz scored two late goals against his Liverpool teammate, the Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, in the 75th and 78th minute in the World Cup qualifier.
His father looked so overwhelmed he almost fell to the floor after the second goal, while he was mobbed by the euphoric fans around him in jubilant scenes. An angle filmed by a fan near him showed him slumped down from the seat, overcome with emotion.
Before the game began, he shook hands with fellow supporters who welcomed him to the stadium in Barranquilla.
Luis Diaz’s father was visibly overwhelmed by his son’s heroics for Colombia vs. Brazil
Liverpool star Diaz scored twice in three minutes to lead his team to victory over Brazil
Colombia’s game in attack depended almost exclusively on Diaz.
The striker nearly scored after dribbling past several Brazilians in the 30th minute and was stopped by goalkeeper Alisson on two more dangerous shots in the second half.
Diaz equalized with an easy header in the 75th minute – he didn’t even need to jump before sparking pandemonium with what turned out to the winner.
‘He is a friend, he suffered a lot these days. This is beyond soccer,’ Alisson said. ‘But we are leaving here in disappointment.’
Armed men on motorcycles kidnapped Díaz´s parents from a gas station in the small town of Barrancas on Oct. 28.
His mother, Cilenis Marulanda, who was also in the stands Wednesday night, was rescued within hours by police who set up roadblocks around the town of 40,000 people, which is near Colombia´s border with Venezuela.
After the kidnapping, special forces were deployed to search for Díaz´s father in a mountain range that straddles Colombia and Venezuela.
Police also offered a $48,000 reward for information that led to him.
Diaz’s father, Luis Manuel Diaz, poses for pictures with fans before the game in Colombia
His son was the hero on the night, scoring two late goals for a World Cup qualifying victory
It was initially unclear who carried out the abduction. Colombia´s government subsequently announced that it had information that a unit of the National Liberation Army, or ELN, was responsible. in the kidnapping,
The group later acknowledged the kidnapping, saying it was a mistake and that its top leadership had ordered the father’s release.
Diaz´s parents were taken amid peace negotiations between Colombia´s government and the guerrilla group. Authorities arrested four suspects over the weekend.
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