Copa America: Diaz helps Colombia clinch third pace

Colombia's Edwin Cardona (R) vies with Peru's Renato Tapia during the 2021 Copa America third-place playoff in Brasilia, Brazil, on July 9, 2021. (COLPRENSA/Handout via Xinhua)

Luis Diaz's second-half brace help Colombia beat Peru 3-2 in their Copa America third-place playoff.

BRASILIA, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Luis Diaz scored a superb second-half brace as Colombia came from behind to secure a last-gasp 3-2 win over Peru in their Copa America third-place playoff here on Friday.

The Porto winger struck in the 66th and 94th minutes to take his personal tally for the tournament to four goals, leaving him as the equal top scorer alongside Lionel Messi.

"We've been able to come together as a team and show great unity all throughout the tournament," Diaz said after the match. "It makes me very proud to be a part of this team and achieve what we have."

Yoshimar Yotun opened the scoring for Peru just before halftime when he received Christian Cueva's slide-rule pass and slotted a low shot past goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.

Juan Cuadrado equalized just after the restart, bending a low free-kick from the edge of the box around the wall and inside the near post.

Diaz continued his impressive run of form by latching onto Vargas's 60-yard goal-kick before a surging run and low drive into the bottom right corner from just inside the 18-yard box.

Peru did not relent and they were back on level terms when Gianluca Lapadula headed home from a Raziel Garcia corner eight minutes from time.

But Colombia were jolted into action again as Peru were pushed deep into their own half in the final minutes.

Diaz prompted wild celebrations in the fourth minute of stoppage time with his second bid for goal of the tournament in as many games, lashing a wicked long-range effort into the top right corner after Luis Muriel released him with a backheel. (by Michael Place)