Paraguay

Uncle of Paraguay hero Gonzalez dies after Copa America victory

Published Jun. 28, 2015 11:14 a.m. ET

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Joy turned to tragedy for Paraguay hero Derlis Gonzalez as he learned that his uncle died while celebrating his winning Copa America penalty.

The 21-year-old leveled the quarter-final against Brazil from the penalty spot and then scored the decisive penalty in the shootout to seal his country's place in the last four.

However, the FC Basel forward then learnt after the game that his uncle had died of a heart attack celebrating the victory.

Paraguayan newspaper Ultima Hora reported Irrazabal Manuel, 44, was watching the game with friends in Paraguay and Gonzalez was told the news by his wife afterwards.

"Why today uncle? Why?" wrote the striker on Twitter along with a picture of his uncle. "You left me after a heart attack because I gave you so much joy and so much happiness. I can't believe it."

Gonzalez joined Basel in 2014 and the penalty against Brazil was his first competitive goal for Paraguay, who will face Argentina in the semi-finals on Wednesday evening.

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