World Cup qualifiers: Luis Díaz scores twice as Colombia stun Brazil, Uruguay beat Argentina

Luis Díaz has scored two goals within four minutes late in the second-half to give his side a stirring 2-1 victory over Brazil in their World Cup qualifier match.

The Colombia forward was playing just a few days after guerrillas freed his father, Luis Manuel Díaz Jiménez, who was kidnapped in the north of the country on 28 October.

It was a cathartic evening for Díaz as the Liverpool forward struck twice while playing for Colombia after Brazil took an early lead with a Gabriel Martinelli goal.

Brazil lost their second consecutive World Cup qualifier match as Colombia fought back, and are now winless in their last three games. The five-time champions dropped to fifth place in the South American standings on Thursday.

In Buenos Aires, gritty Uruguay secured a statement win when beating Lionel Messi’s Argentina 2-0 at the iconic Bombonera stadium, thanks to goals from Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez in each half.

Uruguay were the better side from start to finish and with the win have climbed to second in the standings on 10 points, two behind leaders Argentina who dropped their first points in five games in the South America World Cup Qualifiers.

Colombia are in third place on nine points, one ahead of Venezuela who were held to a goalless draw at home by sixth-placed Ecuador, who are one point behind Brazil in are fifth on seven points.