Derlis Gonzalez converted the winning penalty for Paraguay against Brazil on Saturday night and pushed them into the Copa America semi-finals.
That is probably the best moment of Gonzalez’s life and should be remembered with great fondness. Unfortunately, it turned into one of the most tragic for Gonzalez and his family.
According to a newspaper in Paraguay named Ultima Hora , Gonzalez learned from his wife soon after Paraguay’s victory that his 44-year-old uncle, Irrazabal Manuel, died of a heart attack while celebrating Gonzalez’s special moment for Paraguay and was unable to be revived by the doctors. Gonzalez’s wife is currently in Chile consoling the rest of Derlis’ family.
The striker’s father, Simon Gonzalez, told Ultima Hora that Manuel was “my friend, I consider my brother, my cousin’s husband was.”
Manuel was watching the memorable match in Paraguay with friends when he passed away.
After Paraguay’s upset victory, Gonzalez tweeted (translated by Sky Sports), “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.”
Gonzalez plays in Switzerland for Basel. He also scored a goal from the penalty spot in regulation to tie the game at one in the 72nd minute after a Thiago Silva handball inside the penalty area. This goal was his first competitive one for Paraguay, who are set to face off against Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday evening.
Argentina are expected to be heavy favorites, but Paraguay have shown they can take on any challenge, exemplified by their victory over heavy favorite, Brazil.
This is Paraguay’s second straight victory over Brazil by way of penalty kicks. The last time was in the 2011 Copa America, when they defeated Brazil en route to the final.
Gonzalez recently inked a five-year contract with FC Basel and scored in the UEFA Champions League for the Swiss side against Real Madrid this season. Before moving to Basel, Gonzalez played with Benfica. For the Portuguese side, Gonzalez did not make a single appearance and was loaned at all times.
The winner of this matchup will face either Chile (the host country) or Peru. Peru has been a huge surprise in this tournament, having not appeared in the World Cup since 1982, when the tournament was held in Spain.
Gonzalez is considered an up-and-comer in Paraguay and is part of a long line of young striking talents. Hopefully he will have recovered from this upsetting news to make Paraguay proud once again.
[Image Source: Getty Images]