[Anchor]

A Colombian player who was eliminated in the Round of 16 of the North and Central America World Cup is unable to return home after receiving death threats for missing a decisive scoring opportunity.

Reporter Choi Hee Jin has the story.

[Reporter]

Colombian midfielder Campaz, who was substituted into the Round of 16 match against Switzerland in the 66th minute, missed a crucial chance in the 115th minute of extra time while the score remained deadlocked at 0-0.

After a defensive error by the opponent left him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, his left-footed shot sailed over the crossbar.

Campaz, who missed the goal that could have decided the match, held his head in frustration, and the 120-minute battle eventually ended without a score.

In the ensuing penalty shootout, Campaz stepped up as the third kicker and succeeded, but Colombia lost 4-3 to Switzerland after two players missed their shots, failing to advance to the quarterfinals.

Following the match, Campaz's social media account was flooded with criticism directed at him and his family, including death threats, leading him to disable comments.

Concerned for his personal safety, Campaz did not board his flight home.

He posted a photo on social media of himself crouching on the field in distress, pleading for an end to the excessive criticism. The Colombian Football Federation also issued a statement condemning the threats made against Campaz and his family.

This incident brings to mind the greatest tragedy in World Cup history that occurred in Colombia 32 years ago.

During the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Colombian defender Escobar scored an own goal in a match against the U.S., leading to a loss and the team's elimination from the group stage. Upon returning home, he was shot and killed, an event that shocked the entire world.

(Video Editing: Park Ki-deok, Design: Jang Chae-woo)