Switzerland are in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years—and they needed every bit of a penalty shootout to get there.
The Swiss edged Colombia 4-3 on spot kicks at BC Place on Tuesday after a goalless 120 minutes that produced drama without a goal, heartbreak without fault, and a quarterfinal date with defending champion Argentina in Kansas City, Missouri on Saturday. It is the first time Switzerland have won multiple knockout games at the same World Cup, and their first appearance in the last eight since they hosted the tournament in 1954.
Davinson Sanchez smashed his penalty against the crossbar. Cucho Hernandez had his effort saved by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Then Ruben Vargas—who had left Monday’s training session early but recovered to come off the bench in stoppage time at the end of regulation—stepped up and scored the decisive kick to end Colombia’s run.
Colombia’s Moments Fizzle
Colombia had twice come agonisingly close to ending it in extra time. Jhon Lucumi sent a header crashing against the crossbar. Then Jaminton Campaz had only Kobel to beat after a Granit Xhaka defensive miscue, and shot over the bar. Two moments that could have defined the match. Both went to waste.
It was a tightly contested affair between two teams with contrasting styles. Switzerland were organized and structured, while Colombia were more adventurous and attack-oriented. That structure no doubt helped the Swiss win possessions without ever truly asserting dominance in a match where chances were scarce but clear when they came.
Gustavo Puerta had the first genuine opportunity in the 21st minute, a shot from distance that Kobel pushed away. Fabian Rieder blasted an effort in the 30th that Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas punched down, before Vargas smothered another attempt from Dan Ndoye minutes later. A Rieder free kick in the 52nd minute curled around the wall and into the side netting. Neither side could find a way through in 90 minutes. Neither could in 30 more.
The shootout delivered what the match could not.
Switzerland Win Despite Key Players Being Sidelined
The Swiss were without several key players. Johan Manzambi—the 20-year-old midfielder who had been the tournament’s breakout star with three goals and two assists in Switzerland’s first four matches—missed the game entirely with a training injury suffered on Monday. Luca Jaquez and Michel Aebischer were also absent. Colombia, meanwhile, were missing forward Jhon Cordoba, injured in their round of 32 win over Ghana.
The absences showed in a match that never quite caught fire, played in front of a sellout crowd at BC Place that was overwhelmingly dressed in yellow in support of Colombia. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among those watching as the South Americans—who had been looking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2014—were instead eliminated on penalties for the second consecutive World Cup appearance, having also gone out at the round of 16 stage to England in 2018 the same way.
Switzerland had reached the round of 16 at the past three World Cups but failed to advance beyond it each time. That barrier is broken now.
Argentina await on Saturday after their own dramatic comeback that saw them beat Egypt, 3-2, after trailing 2-0 with 15 minutes remaining. For sure, the defending champions will provide a very different test from anything Switzerland have faced in this tournament.
They have earned it.
