Switzerland edge Colombia on penalties to reach World Cup quarterfinals
Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 in a shootout after a 0-0 draw and will play defending champions Argentina in Kansas City.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Switzerland moved into the World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday by beating Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless last-16 match, AFP reported. The win sends the Swiss into a Saturday meeting with defending champions Argentina in Kansas City.
According to AFP, the match in Vancouver was the final game of the round of 16 and the last fixture of the 2026 tournament to be staged outside the United States. Switzerland are in the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954, when they hosted the tournament.
The shootout settled a match in which both teams struggled to break through. AFP reported that both sides failed from the spot before Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved Cucho Hernandez’s penalty and Ruben Vargas converted the decisive kick.
Colombia entered the match with a strong defensive record, having conceded once in four games, AFP reported. Switzerland had also been hard to break down, and the early pattern reflected two sides more secure without the ball than dangerous with it.
The first major opening came in the 21st minute, when Kobel made a diving save to stop Gustavo Puerta’s curling shot from the edge of the area, according to AFP. Switzerland then improved after the first hydration break, with Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas saving from Fabian Rieder and later denying Dan Ndoye.
Neither team scored before halftime. AFP described the match as evenly balanced, with both teams short of creativity in the final third.
Switzerland began the second half with more attacking intent, while Colombia also threatened in spells. AFP reported that Luis Suarez drove an effort wide, and that Colombia winger Luis Diaz was largely contained.
Both coaches turned to their benches during the second half, but the changes did not produce many clear chances. Ndoye sent a shot across the face of goal in stoppage time, AFP reported, but no teammate reached it and the game went to extra time at 0-0.
The tempo rose in the first half of extra time. Colombia defender Jhon Lucumi headed against the crossbar from a corner in the ninth minute of the period, and Kobel then stopped a powerful Jaminton Campaz effort as Colombia pressed, according to AFP.
Switzerland also had a late chance in extra time when substitute Zeki Amdouni forced Camilo Vargas into a save. AFP reported that Campaz missed a strong opportunity to win the match with five minutes remaining, leaving penalties to decide the tie.
Argentina reached the quarterfinals earlier Tuesday by beating Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta, AFP reported. Lionel Messi’s team will now face Switzerland for a place in the semifinals.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.