Uncle of Paraguay penalty hero dies while watching shootout
Paraguay's Derlis Gonzalez celebrates after scoring the winning goal in a penalty shootout against Brazil in their Copa America 2015 quarter-final
REUTERS
Paraguay's penalty hero Derlis Gonzalez learned of tragic news after guiding his country to the Copa America semi-final following the shoot-out win over Brazil - his uncle had died of a heart-attack while watching him score the winning spot-kick.
The FC Basel striker who scored from the spot to level the scores in the 1-1 draw and also struck the decisive spot-kick, found out after the game that his uncle had died.
Irrazabal Manuel was just 44 and watched the game with friends back in Paraguay. Gonzalez was told the news by his wife, who is currently in Chile.
"Why today uncle? Why? You left me after a heart attack because I gave you so much joy and so much happiness. I can't believe it," Derlis wrote on Twitter later on Saturday in a post that also featured a photo of his uncle.
Paraguay will now face Argentina in the Copa America semi-finals on Wednesday.
Independent News Service
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