Switzerland ended a 72-year wait for a FIFA World Cup quarter-final appearance after defeating Colombia 4-3 on penalties following a goalless 120-minute battle in the Round of 16.
In the final Round of 16 match of the tournament—and the last World Cup fixture hosted in Canada—both teams struggled to convert their chances throughout regulation and extra time.
After 120 scoreless minutes, the contest went to penalties, where Switzerland held their nerve.
Colombia missed two crucial spot-kicks through Davinson Sanchez and Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernandez, while Manuel Akanji was Switzerland’s only player to fail from the spot.
The Swiss converted four penalties to secure a 4-3 shootout victory, sending Murat Yakin’s side into the quarter-finals.
Despite entering the knockout stages after conceding only one goal throughout the tournament, Colombia were unable to capitalise on their attacking quality led by Luis Diaz and 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez.
Head coach Nestor Lorenzo was forced into an attacking reshuffle after replacing injured striker Jhon Cordoba with Luis Suarez, but Colombia struggled to break down a disciplined Swiss defence.
Their best opportunities came through Gustavo Puerta, whose first-half effort was brilliantly saved by Gregor Kobel, while Swiss goalkeeper Kobel continued his outstanding performance throughout the match.
The opening half was dominated by cautious football, with both sides prioritising defensive organisation over attacking risk.
Switzerland nearly opened the scoring midway through the first half when Rieder was denied from close range by Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
The pattern continued after the break, forcing the contest into extra time.
Colombia came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in the 99th minute, but Jhon Lucumi’s effort struck the Swiss crossbar.
The South Americans squandered an even bigger opportunity five minutes from the end of extra time after Granit Xhaka gifted possession near his own penalty area. The ball fell kindly to Jaminton Campaz, but with only Kobel to beat, the Colombian forward fired over the crossbar.
That costly miss ultimately proved decisive. Switzerland entered the match without injured striker Johan Manzambi, while Ruben Vargas was introduced late in regulation to provide fresh attacking energy.
The Swiss had quietly built momentum throughout the tournament, beginning with a 1-1 draw against Qatar, followed by convincing victories over Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-1), Canada (2-1) and Algeria (2-0) before overcoming Colombia.
The dramatic victory at Vancouver marked Switzerland’s first appearance in the last eight since hosting the 1954 World Cup, while Colombia’s impressive campaign came to a heartbreaking end after another penalty shootout defeat on football’s biggest stage.
Their reward is a blockbuster quarter-final showdown against reigning world champions Argentina, who completed a dramatic comeback against Egypt to reach the last eight.
For Colombia, the defeat echoes the painful memories of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, when they were also eliminated via penalty shootout against England.
Credit Photo : SFV ASF
