Uncle of Paraguay hero Derlis Gonzalez dies after watching his winning penalty
Concepcion (Chile), June 28 (IANS) Paraguay's penalty hero Derlis Gonzalez saw his celebrations curtailed by tragedy following the death of his uncle from a heart attack.
The 21-year-old forward scored from the spot to level his side's Copa America quarter-final clash with Brazil at 1-1 here on Saturday and then netted the winner in the shoot-out to seal a place in the last four for Paraguay.
But after the game, the forward learned that his uncle had suffered a heart attack while watching the win in his homeland and passed away as doctors were unable to revive him.
"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.
Gonzalez plays his club football for FC Basel in Switzerland and is considered the latest in Paraguay's long line of striking talents.