Shocking moment Liverpool star Darwin Nunez jumps into the crowd and starts swinging punches in desperate bid to save his family from 'drunken' Colombian fans
Liverpool star Darwin Nunez jumped into the stands and threw punches at supporters in an extraordinary post-match brawl after Uruguay were dumped out of the Copa America on Wednesday night.
An emotional Nunez was held back by security as he and his teammates clashed with fans just minutes after a feisty 1-0 semi-final defeat against Colombia in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Incredible video footage shows the forward, 25, alongside team-mates including Jose Gimenez and Ronald Araujo as scenes turned ugly after the final whistle.
Gimenez said on TV after the incident that the players' families - sitting in close proximity to the fans - were 'avalanched' by drunken supporters, and that they'd stepped in to defend them.
'This is an embarrassment, there wasn't one police officer to control them. We had to go and defend our own just because they can't control their drinking,' he said.
Darwin Nunez entered the stands and began fighting fans after Uruguay lost to Colombia
Ronald Araujo also entered the stands after Uruguay's defeat to Colombia in Charlote
Nunez began throwing punches after a man in a black polo shirt with a credential around his neck began punching a nearby Colombia fan, after a drink was flung towards Uruguay players.
The Liverpool forward was seen consoling his baby son on the field after the fight.
Some supporters could also be heard screaming as the unsavoury scenes unfolded nearby, while another clip showed children being handed off to Uruguay staff on the field.
Uruguay players Maximiliano Araujo and Sebastian Caceres were also among those spotted near the fans.
The families of Uruguay players were then escorted out of the stadium through a different exit to ensure their safety, according to reporter Favian Renkel.
Uruguay manager Marcelo Bielsa was asked about the scenes after the match, and said he 'didn't see everything.'
'I went to the locker room…the Uruguayan players were thanking the Uruguayan fans for their support,' he continued.
Nunez sprung into action after a Colombian fan flung a drink in the direction of Uruguay players
Araujo, who missed the game through injury, could be seen clashing with fans in the stands
Nunez could be seen consoling his baby daughter on the field after the fight had finished
The skirmish followed a hotly-contested match which saw Colombia just barely hold on to a one-goal lead to advance to the Copa America final vs. Argentina.
Within a fiery atmosphere at Bank of America Stadium, Colombia saw a man sent off, both teams levied some extremely heavy tackles on each other and James Rodriguez was booked after furiously protesting with the referee.
Daniel Munoz was given his marching orders after receiving two yellows in the first half, the second of which saw him elbow Manuel Ugarte.
Liverpool's Luis Diaz was also hacked down on several occasions, while Uruguay drew the ire of their opponents when they refused to stop playing with Richard Rios crumpled in the far corner.
He was eventually stretchered off after trying to continue.
Eventually, Colombia ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Jefferson Lerma header, and they will play Lionel Messi and Argentina in Sunday's final in Miami.
