Switzerland Stuns Colombia on Penalties to Reach FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals

Ruben Vargas scored the decisive penalty as Switzerland edged Colombia 4-3 in a shootout after a goalless draw in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash at BC Place in Vancouver.

The result sends Switzerland into their first World Cup quarter-final since 1954, where they will face Argentina in Kansas City on Saturday.

Argentina booked their place in the quarterfinals after a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Egypt, having trailed 2-0 until the 78th minute.

The shootout swung both ways. Davinson Sanchez missed Colombia’s second attempt before Manuel Akanji fired Switzerland’s third penalty over the bar. Gregor Kobel then stepped up for Switzerland, denying Juan Hernandez’s powerful effort to restore his side’s advantage.

Vargas made no mistake with the decisive kick, calmly placing his penalty into the bottom-left corner past Camilo Vargas to seal a memorable win.

Kobel had already played a key role before the shootout, making three saves in regulation and extra time as Colombia pushed hard for a breakthrough. The South American side dominated extra time with an 8-1 advantage in shots but could not find a way past the Swiss goalkeeper.

Colombia came closest in the 99th minute when Jhon Lucumi’s header from a Juan Quintero corner hit the top of the crossbar and bounced away. Jaminton Campaz also forced Kobel into a save from distance in the 101st minute.

Switzerland had a rare late chance just after the 90-minute mark, but Dan Ndoye’s shot rolled untouched across the six-yard box.

Colombia’s best opportunity in regular time came in the 21st minute when Gustavo Puerta’s effort toward the top-right corner was kept out by a diving Kobel. Switzerland also threatened in the 30th minute, but Fabien Rieder’s shot was denied by Camilo Vargas.

Colombia, who last reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2014, suffered another shootout heartbreak after losing their only previous World Cup penalty shootout to England in 2018.