Switzerland will take on Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ last eight after edging Colombia on penalties following a gritty goalless draw in Vancouver.
Ruben Vargas fired home the winning kick to send the Swiss to their first quarter-final in over seven decades, this following failed attempts from Colombia duo Davinson Sanchez and Cucho Hernandez.
Murat Yakin's side had been dealt a major pre-match blow with the news that Johan Manzambi, the team’s breakout star, had been ruled out with a knee injury. The absence of the livewire attacker was certainly felt in a forgettable first half, which Colombia dominated without creating any clear-cut chances.
Their best effort came in the shape of a Gustavo Puerta curler from just outside the box, which forced the impressive Gregor Kobel into an acrobatic save.
Clear sights of goal were rare, and that made it all the more frustrating for Colombia’s fans when Luis Suarez took aim midway through the second half and sliced wastefully wide.
At the other end, Camilo Vargas’ only employment came when Switzerland winger Fabian Rieder rifled in a left-foot volley that required a solid, if routine, save. Extra time offered more excitement, with Colombia’s Jhon Lucumi rattling the crossbar with a header, Swiss substitute Zeki Amdouni forcing a save from Vargas and Jaminton Campaz blazing over when it seemed easier to score.
Penalties were required to settle the outcome, and after Sanchez had blasted his against the underside of the crossbar and Hernandez was denied by Kobel, Vargas slotted home decisively to send the Swiss through.
Switzerland have qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.
Switzerland have lost only one of their last 19 international matches.
"I don't think I've fully realized it yet. I thank God for this moment. I wasn't even sure if I would be able to play. We somehow managed to give it a try, and looking back now, I'm just grateful and happy that I was able to help the team. The team worked incredibly hard and fought for more than 120 minutes. It wasn't easy to play football here today. And now we've made history. It simply feels amazing." Ruben Vargas, Switzerland forward
"I don’t think you want to hear my match plan today, but it worked out exactly the way we wanted it to. And in the end, that’s what matters. It wasn’t just about that, though. At the start, we needed experience. We needed the right mentality. Then, in the second half, we made a substitution that gave us even more control, especially in possession. And as the game went on, we were also able to bring on the players we wanted for the penalty shootout. You always have a plan. When it works out in the end, it’s all the more satisfying. Of course, we also had a bit of luck today, and that’s part of football." Murat Yakin, Switzerland coach
"I think this generation we have now is a special one. Hopefully we’ll see another one like it one day, but we’ve been waiting a long time for a group like this. We, the more experienced players, are being pushed by the younger ones, and at the same time we have to lead by example every single day and every single game. Of course, we try to pass on our experience, but above all the mentality that, even as a small nation, anything is possible at this level, in elite football. From the coaching staff to the last player, we can all be proud of what we’ve achieved. Granit Xhaka, Switzerland captain "I think this national team was destined for better things. I simply want to thank the whole country and the people who filled the stadium here. Let's hope this is a major turning point, because what this team showed at this World Cup has to be viewed from the positive side." Luis Suarez, Colombia forward
Sources: FIFA Official
