Tensions escalated after the final whistle though as Nunez led a group of Uruguay players into the crowd, and was met with hostility from Colombia fans. A mass brawl broke out, with Nunez being struck by a fan as he defended himself.
Nunez had spearheaded the charge of players into the stands as their families and loved ones were brought onto the pitch for safety. As reported by Uruguayan news outlet El Pais, the Liverpool star and his teammates had entered the crowd in order to stand by family and friends seated behind the team bench.
"It was a disaster; there was no police and we had to defend our families," Uruguay's defender Jose Maria Gimenez commented. "This is because of two or three who have one drink too many. A certain sector of the Colombian fans made an avalanche where our loved ones were."
Luis Suarez comforts Uruguay teammate Darwin Nunez
Luis Suarez comforts Uruguay teammate Darwin Nunez (Image: Getty Images)
Following the incident, Nunez was seen being comforted by both Diaz and Suarez. Diaz had shared an emotional embrace with his Liverpool teammate just moments before the trouble in the stands.
Nunez is yet to comment on the incident publicly. CONMEBOL, South America’s governing body, is set to conduct a thorough review before the Copa America final on Sunday.
Colombia will face Argentina in Miami in the final, with the latter looking to add to its triumph in the competition in 2021 and the World Cup a year later. The game will again pit two Liverpool stars against each other, with Diaz coming up against Alexis Mac Allister this time.
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