Emotional Diaz strikes twice as Colombia come back to beat Brazil
Fernando Diniz’s men emerged like a team determined to put a miserable October behind them, and Vinícius Júnior spurned a huge chance to take the lead inside two minutes when his header flew over the bar.
That miss wouldn’t prove costly however, as moments later he linked up with Gabriel Martinelli in stunningly intricate fashion, eventually laying the ball on a plate for the Arsenal man to slide home the opener.
Now trailing, Colombia turned up the pressure, and Díaz was pulling all the strings. First, he teed up Jorge Carrascal, whose low drive was saved by Alisson, before the Liverpool winger himself was denied by his club teammate.
While the hosts’ number seven was wreaking havoc, Brazil’s was trudging off as Vinícius limped off injured before the half-hour mark.
Díaz continued to inspire, and he was only denied his goal by a despairing André tackle after the Colombian had surged free on the counter from a Brazil corner.
A double change at the break stunted the hosts’ momentum however, and Raphinha came close to capitalising and doubling his side’s lead when he cut in from the left and snapped an effort towards the near post, only to be denied by a wonderful save from Camilo Vargas.
Beyond the hour mark, Raphinha finally got the better of the Colombian goalkeeper, but this time the Barcelona forward was denied by the post as Brazil probed.
Díaz remained a threat at the other end though, as he rattled an effort into the side netting, reminding the visitors of their need for caution in the closing stages.
But after yet another Alisson save, there’d be no denying Díaz his hard-earned goal. A deadly accurate cross from Yáser Asprilla allowed Colombia’s talisman to power home a header in a truly poignant moment as his father celebrated in the stands.
Moments later, a truly incredible moment elapsed as Díaz struck again, steering home James Rodríguez’s cross to complete a stunning four-minute turnaround that had to be seen to be believed.
As a result, Colombia are now unbeaten in 16 matches - a streak that stretches back to March 2022, while Brazil are winless in three consecutive WCQs in the same cycle for the first time since 2004.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Luis Díaz (Colombia)
