Switzerland keep their composure in shootout to set up quarter-final clash with Argentina after 0-0 draw.
Switzerland booked their place in the World Cup quarter-finals after defeating Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw on Tuesday.
The two sides cancelled each other out in a tense Round of 16 encounter in Vancouver, the final match of the knockout stage and the last game of the 2026 tournament to be played outside the United States. Switzerland held their nerve in the shootout to secure a quarter-final showdown with defending champions Argentina.
Colombia’s Davinson Sánchez struck the crossbar during the tense penalty shootout, but Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji also missed by sending his effort over the bar, leaving the contest level once again.
Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel then swung the momentum back in his team’s favour with a superb save to deny Cucho Hernández.
After both sides converted their next penalties, Ruben Vargas stepped up to take the decisive spot-kick and calmly found the net to send Switzerland into the World Cup quarter-finals.
The victory sent Switzerland into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since hosting the tournament in 1954.
Captain Granit Xhaka hailed the current squad as a “special generation” after the historic achievement.
“The experienced players are being pushed by the younger ones, while we also have a responsibility to lead by example every day and in every match,” Xhaka told Swiss broadcaster SRF.
“Of course, we try to pass on our experience, but above all the mentality that, even as a small nation, anything is possible at this level, in elite football.”
“From the coaching staff to the final player in the squad, we can all be proud of what we’ve achieved,” Xhaka added.
Tight contest
Backed by thousands of vocal supporters, Colombia entered the match having conceded just one goal in four games, while Switzerland had also built a reputation as one of the tournament’s most resilient defensive sides.
The first clear chance came in the 21st minute when Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel produced a superb diving save to keep out Gustavo Puerta’s curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Switzerland, coached by Murat Yakin, raised the tempo after the first cooling break. Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas responded with fine saves to deny Fabian Rieder before keeping out another effort from Dan Ndoye.
The sides went into the break level at 0-0, with two evenly matched teams finding it difficult to create clear-cut chances.
Switzerland began the second half on the front foot, but Colombia also threatened, although Luis Suárez fired a promising opportunity wide of the target.
Changes fail to break deadlock
Both coaches made several substitutions after the interval in an attempt to inject fresh energy, but neither side was able to produce a decisive breakthrough. Colombia’s star winger Luis Díaz was kept largely quiet throughout the contest.
Dan Ndoye came closest in stoppage time, sending a dangerous ball across the face of goal, but no Swiss player was able to apply the finishing touch as the match remained goalless after 90 minutes.
The contest finally came to life in the first period of extra time as both sides pushed for a winner.
Colombia defender Jhon Lucumí rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner, before Gregor Kobel produced another outstanding save to deny Jaminton Campaz as the South Americans turned up the pressure.
Switzerland also threatened at the other end, with Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas diving to his left to keep out a strike from substitute Zeki Amdouni.
Campaz then squandered the best chance of the match with five minutes remaining in extra time, failing to convert a golden opportunity and sending the tie to a penalty shootout.
With neither side able to find a breakthrough after 120 minutes, the tie was settled by a penalty shootout, where Switzerland held their nerve to secure a 4-3 victory.
“I think this national team was destined for better things,” Colombia forward Luis Suárez told DSports.
“Let’s hope this is a major turning point, because what this team showed at this World Cup has to be viewed in a positive light,” he added.
Switzerland will now face defending champions Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals in Kansas City on Saturday after Lionel Messi’s side edged Egypt 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 16 encounter.
