Just days after being released by his kidnappers, the father of Colombian striker Luis Díaz found himself in tears on Thursday as he witnessed his son score both goals in a 2-1 victory over Brazil in a World Cup qualifying match.
Decked in a Colombia jersey and a necklace, Luis Manuel Díaz fell onto the people beside him in the stands at the Metropolitano Stadium, shedding tears of joy alongside his wife, Cilenis Marulanda, during the celebration.
Luis Manuel Díaz had been held captive for 12 days in a mountainous region by the ELN guerrilla group before being reunited with his family on Tuesday.
“I thank God. 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.”
Díaz secured both goals with headers, the first in the 75th minute and the second in the 79th, marking Colombia’s first victory against Brazil in World Cup qualifying in 15 matches.
“He is a friend; he has suffered a lot these days. This is beyond soccer; he deserves it,” said Brazil goalkeeper Alisson, a teammate of Díaz at Liverpool.
Armed men on motorcycles abducted Díaz’s parents from a gas station in the town of Barrancas on Oct. 28. His mother was rescued within hours by police, who set up roadblocks around the town of 40,000 people near the Venezuelan border.
Díaz and Colombia are set to face Paraguay next Tuesday.