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.