Switzerland needed a penalty shootout to dump Colombia out of the 2026 World Cup, advancing 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless 120 minutes.
The game was a mostly tense affair with neither team able to capitalize on their chances. Both Colombia and Switzerland had opportunities to break the deadlock, but the final, decisive movements were lacking.
Some shots were sent closer to the sidelines than the goal. Other times, lackluster crosses in crucial moment allowed for easy cleanup by the keepers. For the most part – especially after the fireworks during Argentina-Egypt earlier in the day – it was a dull affair for most of the 90 minutes.
The mood grew tense as regular time ticked away, with any mistake sure to be punished by a tournament-ending goal.
The closest look in the final minutes came when Switzerland had an opportunity in the 91st minute. Dan Ndoye had a half-chance in the box and scuffed his shot, sending the ball rolling wide of the Colombian net, allowing them a sigh of relief.
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That proved to be the final opportunity of regular time, as the whistle blew for 30 additional minutes of extra time to settle the contest.
It took only a couple of minutes for controversy to strike when Colombia had a penalty appeal denied. Jáminton Campaz got the ball past Miro Muheim before the two collided, sending the Colombian crashing to the ground. While slow-motion replays appeared to show a decent case for a penalty, the referee ruled play on and a quick check by the video assistant referee confirmed the on-field decision.
Switzerland’s best opportunity of the game came in the 104th minute. On a rare Swiss rush, Rubén Vargas found himself with a clear shot at the Colombian goal from the penalty spot. Vargas’ strike went right at Colombian keeper Camilo Vargas, who punched it away.
A major mistake from one of Switzerland’s best players nearly handed Colombia the lead in the second half of extra time.
Granit Xhaka failed to clear a long ball from Colombia, allowing Campaz to nick the ball away and break through clear on goal. Unfortunately for Colombia, and anyone hoping for a breakthrough, Campaz fired his shot far into the stands, ensuring the game remained deadlocked.
That was the last major moment as the game dragged toward penalties. Juan Fernando Quintero stepped up first for Colombia and drove his shot straight down the middle to make it 1-0. Xhaka was next for the opening kick for the Swiss and scored as well, even though Camilo Vargas got a hand on it. Davinson Sánchez smacked his shot off the bar, the first miss of the shootout and handing the Swiss the advantage.
Next up was Zeki Amdouni for Switzerland, who came into the game as a substitute. His penalty was slotted home in the bottom right corner and his team went up 2-1. Campaz came next, needing to score – and he did, sliding it under the Swiss keeper. Manuel Akanji went next for the Swiss and he soared his shot over the bar, bringing Colombia back on level terms, 2-2.
Cucho Hernández came next for the Colombians and had his shot incredibly saved by Gregor Kobel, as the Swiss keeper dove down and to his right. Cedric Itten came next and hit it down the middle, putting his squad on the verge of the quarterfinals by making it 3-2.
Diaz needed to score to keep his team alive and he converted, putting it in the bottom left corner to make it 3-3. That meant Switzerland had one kick to win the game, with Rubén Vargas walking up to make history for his team. He buried it in the bottom left and the Swiss advanced to play Argentina.
CNN
