Football After Kidnapping
Díaz scores twice and moves his father to tears
As of: 10:54 a.m. | Reading time: 3 minutes
Colombia’s Luis Díaz celebrates his second goal in tears
Quelle: dpa/Ivan Valencia
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Luis Díaz has had difficult weeks. The Liverpool striker’s family was kidnapped in Colombia. After the hostages were released, Díaz traveled to the World Cup qualifier against Brazil – and had an emotional evening there.
Luis Díaz led Colombia to a surprising victory against Brazil in World Cup qualifying. Two days after he met his father again for the first time after his kidnapping, the 26-year-old scored the goals in a 2-1 (0-1) win over the record world champions. World champion Argentina led by world footballer Lionel Messi lost for the first time since the sensational 1:2 at the start of the World Cup against Saudi Arabia and lost to Uruguay 0:2 (0:1) at home.
Colombia was behind after just four minutes against interim coach Fernando Diniz’s Brazilian team. Gabriel Martinelli scored for the guests, who had to play without Neymar. The superstar suffered a torn cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee in the previous game against Uruguay and will be out for months.
In the second half, Colombia turned up the heat and was rewarded. Within four minutes, Luis Díaz scored twice with his head (75th/79th minute) and led his team to a frenetically celebrated victory in Barranquilla. Television cameras showed the father crying and cheering for joy in the stands. “I thank god. He makes it all possible. We have always experienced difficult moments, but life makes you strong and brave. That’s football and that’s life,” said match winner Díaz after the final whistle.
Father Luis Manuel Diaz in the stands
What: REUTERS
Luis Manuel Díaz and his wife were abducted by a unit of the ELN rebel group on October 28 in the Guajira department in the northeast of the country. While the Liverpool professional’s mother was rescued shortly afterwards, his father was still in the hands of the guerrillas. Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro had called on the left-wing guerrilla organization to release the father immediately. After almost two weeks, Díaz was released; the liberation process took place under the direction of the Catholic Church and a UN commission.
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For Brazil, it was the third game in a row without a win after the 2-0 defeat against Uruguay and the 1-1 draw against Venezuela. On Wednesday there will be a classic against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro.
Messi’s Argentina leads the table
The Argentines first have to digest the unexpected setback against Uruguay. The goals for the guests in Buenos Aires were scored by Ronald Araújo (40th) and Darwin Núñez (86th). The hitherto flawless selection Albiceleste not only suffered their first defeat, but also their first goals conceded in this World Cup qualification. “We never felt comfortable in this game,” said Messi, praising the team from neighboring Uruguay coached by his compatriot Marcelo Bielsa. Messi explained that his team was not comfortable with the fast and physical game.
Lionel Messi
Quelle: AFP/LUIS ROBAYO
Despite the defeat, Argentina remains at the top of the table with twelve points from five games, followed by Uruguay with ten points. Colombia (9) improved to third place. Brazil (8) slipped to fifth place behind Venezuela (8).
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