Luis Diaz scores twice in front of released father as Colombia stun Brazil

Nov 17, 2023 1 min read
Colombia’s Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side’s second goal against Brazil during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA
Colombia’s Luis Diaz celebrates scoring his side’s second goal against Brazil during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Ivan Valencia/AP)

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 striker netted twice in four minutes late in the second half, watched by his father Luiz Manuel Diaz who was held for 12 days before his release last week.

Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli had put Brazil in front after just four minutes.

Colombia Brazil Wcup 2026 Soccer
Colombia’s Luis Diaz celebrates at the end of a qualifying soccer match against Brazil for the FIFA World Cup 2026 (Ivan Valencia/AP)

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.

On a night of surprises, goals from Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez saw Uruguay beat Argentina 2-0.

Lionel Messi struggled to impose himself, hitting the crossbar in the second half as Argentina’s 100% record since lifting the World Cup was ended.

Uruguay’s win lifts them to second in the table, two points behind Argentina.

Venezuela are in fourth after a goalless draw with Ecuador, Chile and Paraguay also drawing a blank while Bolivia won the battle of the bottom two with a 2-0 win over Peru.

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