Switzerland’s Ruben Vargas scores a penalty throughout the penalty shootout to win the match on July 7, 2026. — ReutersÂ
VANCOUVER: Switzerland’s Ruben Vargas stroked residence the decisive penalty to beat Colombia 4-3 in a shootout after a goalless 120 minutes, sending the Swiss into their first World Cup quarter-final since 1954 and a conflict with holders Argentina.
The shootout swung in Switzerland’s favour when their goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved Cucho Hernandez’s penalty after Davinson Sanchez had earlier hit the crossbar for Colombia.
Though Manuel Akanji additionally missed for Switzerland, firing over the bar, Vargas made no mistake, stroking the successful penalty into the underside nook.
“It is very difficult for me to realise what we achieved today,” Vargas mentioned.
“I’m grateful for this moment. It was an amazing match for me. For 120 minutes we gave it all on the pitch. We faced a strong opponent, but now we made history… It was amazing that I could score the decisive penalty.”
It was heartbreak for Colombia, who had been bidding to succeed in the quarter-finals for less than the second time of their historical past, having beforehand executed so on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
One of the best alternative of the primary half arrived within the twenty first minute when Colombia midfielder Gustavo Puerta curled a shot in direction of the far nook from round 18 yards, forcing Kobel into an excellent diving save to his left.
Switzerland responded moments later, however Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas was equal to Fabian Rieder’s effort from a decent angle.
Swiss winger Dan Ndoye almost snatched a winner within the 91st minute, making a intelligent run earlier than dragging a low shot throughout objective simply large of the far publish.
In further time, Colombia centre-back Jhon Lucumi got here inside inches of breaking the impasse, rising unmarked to satisfy a nook solely to see his header crash towards the crossbar. The close to miss sparked a frenetic spell as each side pushed ahead in quest of a winner.
Colombia entered the sport in Vancouver, the final to be hosted by Canada on the match, boasting one of many match’s stingiest defences, having conceded simply as soon as of their earlier matches.
The Swiss had been dealt a significant setback earlier than kick-off when 20-year-old attacker Johan Manzambi, their breakout star of the match with three objectives and two assists, was dominated out after struggling a knee damage in coaching.
Pure pleasure
Competing at their sixth successive World Cup, Switzerland have change into a mannequin of consistency in qualification, however progress past the spherical of 16 had remained stubbornly out of attain in current editions.
They had been eradicated at that stage in 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022, however lastly overcame that hurdle regardless of the absence of key gamers to succeed in their fourth World Cup quarter-final of their historical past.
The outcome additionally erased a number of the disappointment of Euro 2024, when Switzerland misplaced 5-3 on penalties to England within the quarter-finals.
It was pure pleasure after Vargas transformed the successful penalty. Your complete Swiss squad sprinted in direction of him as celebrations erupted in Vancouver.
BC Place offered a vibrant backdrop, with Colombia supporters vastly outnumbering their Swiss counterparts.
The ocean of yellow shirts remodeled the stadium into what felt like a house match for the South People, whose followers generated a relentless ambiance, roaring on each Colombian assault and jeering Swiss gamers each time they had been on the ball.
The Swiss will face Argentina within the quarter-finals in Kansas Metropolis after Lionel Scaloni’s aspect produced a surprising comeback from two objectives right down to defeat Egypt 3-2 earlier on Tuesday.
