With videoColombia inflicted a somewhat surprising defeat on Brazil in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The Colombians won 2-1 in Barranquilla and owe the victory to Luis Diaz, who is bidding farewell to an unpleasant period in his life.
Sports editorial
Last updated:
11/17/23, 3:40 p.m
Diaz burst into tears after the match. He dedicated the victory to his father, who was in the stands. Diaz’s parents were kidnapped on October 28 in northeastern Colombia by a unit of the guerrilla movement the National Liberation Army. His mother quickly managed to escape, but the father, Luis Manuel Díaz, was not released until twelve days later.
Brazil dominated the first half and took an early lead with a goal scored by Gabriel Martinelli. Colombia gradually took control and Díaz in particular asserted himself. He alone had ten attempts on goal. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, his Liverpool teammate, repeatedly blocked shots, but failed in the 75th and 79th minutes.
Diaz, with his father in the stands, became the great hero with two headers and helped his country to victory. Colombia rose to third place in the group thanks to the win, while Brazil fell to fifth place.
Uruguay ends Argentina’s unbeaten run
The Uruguay national football team ended Argentina’s 14-match unbeaten run. The world champion lost the World Cup qualifying match in Buenos Aires 2-0. This is the first defeat for Lionel Messi’s team since the surprise loss to Saudi Arabia in the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar last year.
Ronald Araújo gave Uruguay the lead in the 40th minute, then Darwin Nunez added the second goal in the 87th minute. Messi said after the defeat: “We were not in the game for a moment.” “They are a physical team that works hard and is very dangerous on the counter-attack,” the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said. He praised Uruguayan national team coach Marcelo Bielsa. “Obviously you see his hand in the team,” Messi said.
After five matches, Argentina still leads the South American qualifiers with 12 points. Uruguay rose to second place with 10 points. The Argentines’ next opponent is their arch rival Brazil.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said: “We lose and win as a team, and there are times when you have to give credit to the opponent. “We cannot think that because we are world champions we cannot lose. We are not unbeatable. But this team has shown many times that it is able to come back from difficult situations,” Scaloni said.
Pepe, PSV Eindhoven player, scores in the Nations League
PSV Eindhoven player Ricardo Pepe played an important role in the United States’ 3-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in the UEFA Nations League. The substitute scored the opening goal late in the match in Austin (Texas). Then Anthony Robinson and Giovanni Reyna also scored.
Pepe started on the bench, but Serginio Dest and Malik Thielemann, both also PSV Eindhoven players, had a starting place in national coach Gregg Berhalter’s side. Trinidad and Tobago played the end of the first and second half with ten men after Noah Powder was sent off.
This is the position of the Dutch group in the European Championship qualifiers
Listen to all our football podcasts here
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.
Tv fanatic. Freelance thinker. Social media enthusiast. Total bacon lover. Communicator.