Luis Diaz scores twice for Colombia in win over Brazil as his recently released father watches from the stands

Luis Diaz’s father cried tears of joy on Thursday as he watched his son score twice for Colombia to beat Brazil 2-1 in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Luis Manuel Diaz fell on other Cafeteros supporters in the stands at the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla and wept with his wife Chilenis Marulanda as they celebrated their son’s goals.

The Liverpool attacker’s father was kidnapped and held captive for almost two weeks by National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas before being returned to his son and family on Tuesday.

“I thank God,” said Diaz after the victory secured by his brace. “He makes it possible. We have always lived through difficult times, but life makes you strong and brave. So is football and life. We deserved this victory.”

Diaz scored two headers within four minutes of each other with the first in the 75th minute and the second in the 79th to secure Colombia’s first World Cup qualifying win over Brazil in 15 attempts.

“He’s a friend and he suffered a lot in the last few days,” said Brazilian goalkeeper and Liverpool team-mate Alisson Becker. “This goes beyond football – it’s deserve it.

Both of Diaz’s parents were kidnapped by armed men on motorcycles in Barrancas on October 28, although the player’s mother was rescued by police hours after being captured by the ELN.

Diaz’s Colombia will be Paraguay on Tuesday as the qualifiers for the CONMEBOL World Cup continue in South America.