As Liverpool’s star scores twice in Colombia’s thrilling victory over Brazil, Luis Diaz’s father observes from the stands.

A week after being set free by his captors, Luis Diaz, a Liverpool player, scored both goals on Thursday night as Colombia defeated Brazil 2-1. His father was in the stands.

The National Liberation Army, a guerrilla group, kidnapped Luis Manuel Diaz, 58, and held him captive in Colombia for 12 days before he was freed on November 9.

The mother of the Liverpool forward, Cilenis Marulanda, was also taken hostage but was soon freed when Colombian authorities arrived.

While his father was being held captive, Diaz continued to play for Liverpool. On September 5, he scored a goal against Luton in the Premier League, showing an undershirt that said, “Freedom for Papa.”

Moment of the day 🥹

Luis Diaz's father celebrating his son's two match-winning goals against Brazil! ❤️pic.twitter.com/8SST0NqR93

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 17, 2023

Tuesday’s video showed Diaz and his father hugging as they were reunited for the first time since the kidnapping. On Thursday night, Luis Manuel Diaz attended his son’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Brazil at the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla.

After five games apiece, Diaz’s two late goals in the 75th and 79th minutes lifted Colombia above Brazil and into third place in the South American qualifying table, negating the initial goal by Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli.

After the game, Diaz declared, “I think that’s what football, and not just football, but life makes you strong and brave.”

“I’m grateful to my team-mates, to the coaching staff who were always there for me at every moment, and I dedicate the victory to the people who deserved it.”