Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz shared exchange moments before ugly Copa America brawl

Liverpool teammates Darwin Nunez and Luis Díaz shared a heartfelt embrace after Colombia clinched their spot in the Copa America final - moments before a brawl broke out in the stands featuring Uruguay stars.

Nunez, the 25-year-old Uruguayan striker, hugged Díaz and congratulated him for advancing to the Copa America final. However, the moment was bittersweet, as Darwin's team couldn't secure victory despite having the upper hand against a ten-man Colombian side.

Colombia's victory was nothing short of dramatic. Daniel Munoz was given a red card after elbowing Uruguay's Manuel Ugarte, reducing Colombia to ten men while holding a slim 1-0 lead in the first half of extra time. The red card, a second yellow for Munoz, added to the tension after his initial booking in the 31st minute, which followed a yellow card for Uruguay's Nicolas de la Cruz just five minutes earlier.

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah meeting Arne Slot for first time goes down exactly how Liverpool fans hoped it would
READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Jeremie Frimpong deadline, Karim Adeyemi 'talks', Joao Neves plan

The game-defining moment came in the 39th minute, just before the red card drama when Jefferson Lerma soared to meet a cross from James Rodríguez. Lerma's header from the left side of the six-yard box found the bottom left corner, igniting Colombian celebrations as they took the lead.

Despite having a numerical advantage for over half the match, Uruguay struggled to mount a meaningful offense. They managed just two shots on goal, hampered by Colombia's tenacious defense and indomitable spirit, even with a man down.

While Nunez showed sportsmanship toward Díaz after the game, the post-match scene turned fiery when he entered the stands only in his GPS vest and exchanged punches with fans as drinks flew in his direction. Uruguay star Jose Maria Gimenez later claimed players were defending their families who were sat in the area.

"It was a disaster; there was no police and we had to defend our families," Gimenez said. "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."

Both Nunez and Diaz are expected to be in the plans of new manager Anrne Slot after reports previously suggested that they could be looking to part ways with Nunez and add a striker like Ollie Watkins. "I assume he will fit really well into my playing style because I like him," said Slot. "I've told him already, yes. He is one of the players I have spoken to".

The young duo contributed significantly to Liverpool's offense last season, netting 19 of the team's 86 Premier League goals. Liverpool finished third in the league, trailing only Manchester City and Arsenal. Their impact was felt not just in goals but also in assists, with the pair combining for 13 assists—Nunezs eight assists ranking second on the team behind Mohamed Salah, who led in both goals and assists.