Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Switzerland have advanced into the Quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup after a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Colombia at the Vancouver Stadium on Tuesday night.
After 120 minutes of football failed to separate the teams, the Nati held their nerve in the shootout, with Ruben Vargas scoring the final kick to set up a meeting with reigning champions Argentina in Kansas City on Sunday morning.
The two teams were evenly matched in the first half, with both sides looking to punish the other on the counter. The first real chance of the game fell to Gustavo Puerta, whose ferocious strike from the edge of the box was sublimely blocked by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in the 21st minute.
At the other end, Fabian Rieder zig-zagged his way into the box and fired a shot towards the middle of the goal, but goalkeeper Camilo Vargas made a sharp reaction save to keep it out. The score remained 0-0 at the break following a lively but evenly contested first half.
In a tightly contested match crying out for a moment of brilliance, Luis Díaz produced a mazy run, skipping past two defenders before pulling the trigger. However, Gregor Kobel was equal to it, making a strong save to deny the tricky winger 15 minutes into the second half.
The second half also failed to produce a goal, sending both teams into extra time locked at 0-0 after neither managed to create clear-cut chances. Colombia had the better chances in extra time, but Jhon Lucumí hit the upright and Jaminton Campaz failed to score when he was one-on-one with Kobel. The match went to penalties after the 0-0 stalemate.
In the penalty shootout, Colombia’s Davinson Sánchez and Cucho Hernández missed their kicks, while Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji also failed to convert. However, Ruben Vargas stepped up and coolly slotted home the decisive spot-kick to hand Switzerland a 4-3 victory.
Switzerland 0
Colombia 0
After extra time, Switzerland won 4-3 on penalties
Switzerland: Kobel; Zakaria (Widmer 87'), Akanji, Elvedi, R. Rodríguez (Muheim 71'); Xhaka, Freuler, Jashari (Sow ,46'), Ndoye (R. Vargas 90'+2), Embolo (Itten 87'), Rieder (Amdouni 103').
Colombia: Vargas; Muñoz, Sánchez, Lucumí (Mina 119'), Mojica; Lerma (Rios 82'), Puerta, J. Rodríguez (Quintero 66'); Díaz; Suárez (Hernandez 82'), Arias (Campaz 66').
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