Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties to reach first World Cup quarter-final since 1954

Switzerland 0-0 Colombia (4-3 penalties) Switzerland booked their place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years after defeating Colombia 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a goalless 120-minute stalemate in Vancouver. Ruben Vargas held his nerve to convert the decisive spot-kick after Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel emerged as the hero, saving Cucho Hernández's penalty to send Switzerland into a last-eight showdown with defending champions Argentina. The victory marks Switzerland's first appearance in a World Cup quarter-final since the 1954 tournament on home soil, ending decades of frustration after repeated Round of 16 exits. The shootout swung decisively in Switzerland's favour after Davinson Sánchez struck the crossbar with Colombia's second penalty before Kobel produced a brilliant save to deny Hernández. Although Manuel Akanji blazed Switzerland's fourth penalty over the bar to briefly hand Colombia hope, Vargas calmly stroked home the winning kick into the bottom corner to spark jubilant celebrations among the Swiss players. For Colombia, it was a cruel end to an impressive campaign as they fell short of reaching only the second World Cup quarter-final in their history, having previously achieved the feat at Brazil 2014. The tightly contested encounter offered few clear-cut opportunities, with both goalkeepers producing important saves. Colombia came closest in the opening half when Gustavo Puerta curled a superb effort towards the far corner from 18 yards, only for Kobel to produce an outstanding full-stretch save. Switzerland responded almost immediately, but Camilo Vargas was alert to deny Fabian Rieder from a narrow angle. The Swiss looked the more threatening as the match wore on and nearly snatched victory in stoppage time when Dan Ndoye burst into the area before dragging his low effort agonisingly wide of the far post. Extra time remained equally tense. Colombia defender Jhon Lucumí came within inches of breaking the deadlock when he rose unmarked to meet a corner, only to see his powerful header cannon off the crossbar. It proved to be the closest either side came before penalties were needed to separate two evenly matched teams. Switzerland's achievement was made even more remarkable after they lost one of their standout performers before kick-off. Twenty-year-old Johan Manzambi, one of the breakout stars of the tournament with three goals and two assists, was ruled out after suffering a knee injury in training. Despite the setback, Murat Yakin's side displayed remarkable resilience to overcome one of the tournament's strongest defensive teams. Colombia entered the match having conceded just once throughout the competition, underlining the scale of Switzerland's achievement in eventually finding a way through. Competing in their sixth consecutive World Cup, Switzerland have become one of international football's most consistent qualifiers. However, the knockout rounds had repeatedly proved their undoing, with Round of 16 exits in 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022. By finally clearing that hurdle, the Swiss reached only the fourth World Cup quarter-final in their history while also erasing some of the pain of UEFA Euro 2024, where they suffered penalty heartbreak against England at the same stage. Switzerland's reward is a mouthwatering quarter-final against defending champions Argentina in Kansas City on Saturday. Lionel Scaloni's side booked their place earlier in the day after producing one of the great World Cup comebacks, recovering from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2 and keep alive their quest to retain the trophy.

World Cup 2026

Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties to reach first World Cup quarter-final since 1954