Ex-Colombia star Asprilla urges Luis Diaz to find composure after 2-2 draw against Uruguay

Former Colombia international Faustino Aspirilla has urged his compatriot Luis Diaz to be more composed in the wake of his display during Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Uruguay.

Mateus Uribe gave Colombia the lead in the second half of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier fixture after Mathias Olivera had cancelled out James Rodriguez’s first-half opener.

However, Diaz’s club teammate Darwin Nunez ensured Uruguay departed the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez with a point after slotting home a last-minute penalty.

Diaz’s performance emerged as a major talking point in the pulsating encounter as the Liverpool man appeared erratic in his decision-making and finishing.

The 26-year-old spurned a couple of chances, and his all-round performance was below his very high standards. 

He completed two out of four attempted dribbles, registered one key pass and was successful in four of his 11 ground duels.

His finishing cost Colombia valuable points, and Aspirilla has urged Diaz to conjure up his Liverpool form and deliver better performances for the national team.

“The definition in football in the end is everything,” Aspirilla said (via ESPN).

“Luis Diaz’s anxiety is eating him up, he looks anxious. He did everything right for the definition, but at the moment of impact he raised it, normally in Liverpool that is a goal.”

“Also in other plays, he could calmly do other things to define better, but anxiety had him finishing earlier. 

“He dribbled when he didn’t have to dribble, and that in football is fundamental, that can be seen in every game, when you are not sharp in definition it is impossible to score goals.”

Diaz will get another opportunity to deliver an improved performance when Colombia take on Ecuador on October 18.

Following the draw with Uruguay, Colombia currently sit in third place in the CONMEBOL qualifier rankings, trailing Argentina by four points.

Colombia are only two points ahead of Ecuador, meaning defeat to Felix Sanchez’s side could bear significant repercussions for their chances of securing qualification.