Switzerland overcome Colombia in shoot-out to book first quarterfinal berth in 72 years

After a scoreless 120 minutes, the European side came out on top in penalties to set up a World Cup showdown with Argentina.

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Switzerland's Ruben Vargas scores a penalty past Colombia's Camilo Vargas to win the penalty shootout during a FIFA World Cup 2026's Round of 16 match held in Canada on July 7.
Switzerland's Ruben Vargas scores a penalty past Colombia's Camilo Vargas to win the penalty shoot-out during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match held in Canada on July 7.

Switzerland, long regarded as one of Europe's dark horses, edged Colombia in a tense battle to claim the final spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Switzerland defeated Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out after 120 minutes ended scoreless in the Round of 16 match at BC Place Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada.

Neither side managed to break the deadlock in the first half, with both teams more focused on avoiding mistakes than taking control.

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Although the midfield battle was fiercely contested, neither team showed much quality in the final third. Colombia produced just one shot on target after halftime, while Switzerland failed to register any.

The match remained scoreless before heading into extra time.

Colombia looked more aggressive in extra time but repeatedly failed to capitalize on their chances. Three minutes into the first half of extra time, Jaminton Campaz of Colombia went down inside the penalty area, but after a VAR review, no foul was given.

Colombia squandered its best opportunity to win the match in the 116th minute. A defensive error by Switzerland gave Campaz a clear one-on-one chance with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, but he sent his shot over the bar.

The match was ultimately decided in a penalty shoot-out.

Luis Diaz of Colombia, left, vies with Switzerland players during the Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at BC Place Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada, on July 7.
Luis Díaz of Colombia, left, vies with Switzerland players during the Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia at the FIFA World Cup 2026 at BC Place Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada, on July 7.



Swiss players celebrate after winning ihe penalty shootout during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia in Vancouver, British Columbia, on July 7.
Swiss players celebrate after winning the penalty shoot-out during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia in Vancouver, Canada, on July 7.


Colombia fell behind early when Davinson Sánchez, their second taker, struck the post. Switzerland briefly gave Colombia hope after Manuel Akanji, the Swiss team's third kicker, missed the target.

Swiss goalkeeper Kobel then produced the decisive save by diving the right way to deny Cucho Hernandez. Switzerland's final taker, Ruben Vargas, slotted his penalty into the bottom-left corner to seal victory.

Switzerland will next face Lionel Messi's Argentina for a place in the semifinals. Earlier in the day, Argentina rallied from behind to defeat Egypt 3-2 in another Round of 16 match.

It marks Switzerland's first World Cup quarterfinal appearance in 72 years, since hosting the tournament in 1954.



This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY PIH JU-YOUNG [[email protected]]

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