Switzerland reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since hosting the tournament in 1954, edging Colombia 4-3 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes on Tuesday, in the last match of the round of 16 to be played outside the United States.
Neither side managed to break the deadlock across normal or extra time in Vancouver, despite both bringing strong defensive records into the tie. Colombia had conceded just once in their previous four matches, while Switzerland had proven similarly difficult to break down. The closest either team came in the opening half was Gregor Kobel’s flying save to deny Gustavo Puerta’s curling effort in the 21st minute, followed by a spell of Swiss pressure after the hydration break in which Camilo Vargas twice denied Fabian Rieder and Dan Ndoye. Colombia had chances of their own, including a wasteful effort from Luis Suarez, but star winger Luis Diaz was kept quiet throughout, and the sides went in level at the break and stayed that way through 90 minutes.
Extra time finally brought some urgency. Jhon Lucumi headed against the bar from a corner early in the first period, and Kobel produced another key save to deny Jaminton Campaz as Colombia pushed for a winner. Switzerland threatened at the other end through substitute Zeki Amdouni, only for Vargas to dive to his left and keep the score level. Campaz had one more clear sight of goal with five minutes left but couldn’t find the finish, sending the tie to penalties with nothing separating the two sides.
The shootout swung on a missed spot-kick from Cucho Hernandez, which Kobel saved, before Ruben Vargas stepped up and converted the decisive penalty to send Switzerland through.
The Swiss now face defending champions Argentina in Kansas City on Saturday, after Lionel Messi’s side beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta earlier the same day. It’s Switzerland’s first quarter-final appearance since 1954, when they hosted the tournament on home soil, giving Saturday’s meeting with Argentina an added layer of significance for a team that has waited over seven decades to reach this stage again.
