Switzerland edge Colombia in dramatic penalty shoot-out to set up World Cup quarter-final with Argentina

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The Independent

·

7 July 2026

Ruben Vargas converted his penalty and

Switzerland

advanced to the

World Cup

quarterfinals with a 4-3 shootout win over

Colombia

after a scoreless draw on Tuesday.

Switzerland will next face defending champion

Argentina

on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in

Kansas City

, Missouri.

defeated Egypt 3-2 earlier in the day.

Switzerland had not reached the quarterfinals of a

since hosting the tournament in 1954. And the Swiss were shorthanded Tuesday without young midfielder Johan Manzambi, who was injured in training on Monday.

Vargas, who has scored two goals in the

, also left Monday’s training early but was available off the bench and came on in stoppage time at the end of regulation.

Colombia defender

Davinson Sanchez

’s penalty attempt hit the crossbar and

goalkeeper

Gregor Kobel

saved an attempt by Cucho Hernandez.

FIFA

President

Gianni Infantino

was among those at BC Place, where the sellout crowd was overwhelmingly clad in yellow in support of

.

Colombia failed to qualify for the last

in 2022. The team made the quarterfinals at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, defeating Uruguay in the round of 16 before losing to the host country 2-1.

The Swiss reached the round of 16 at the past three World Cups but failed to advance with a smaller field of 32 teams.

open image in gallery

Switzerland players salute supporers after winning in a penalty kick shootout (AP)

Colombia collapse in dejection after defeat (Getty)

The match was tightly contested by two teams with contrasting styles, the Swiss with a more organized approach and

more attack oriented.

had a slight edge in possession.

Manzambi, a 20-year-old midfielder who plays for German club Freiburg, had three goals in the

and was one of the tournament’s breakout stars. The Swiss were also without Luca Jaquez and midfielder Michel Aebischer.

Gustavo Puerta had the first good chance for

with a shot from distance in the 21st minute that was pushed away by Kobel.

The Swiss got one of their best opportunities in the 30th with Fabian Reider’s blast at Camilo Vargas, who punched the ball down. Minutes later, Vargas smothered another attempt from Dan Ndoye.

Ruben Vargas of

scores the fifth and winning penalty (Getty)

Juan Quintero #20 of

is consoled by a team staff of

(Getty)

The Swiss had a free kick in the 52nd minute, but Reider’s attempt curled around the wall and went into the side netting.

In the first extra time period, Jhon Lucumi’s header hit the cross bar and caromed away as

put pressure on Kobel.

Colombia and

also met in the group stage at the 1994

in the United States, with South American team winning 2-0.

Switzerland 0-0 Colombia (4-3 on pens): Swiss reach World Cup quarter-finals after tense shootout victory

Evening Standard

Argentina face Switzerland again, Brazil 2014 still raw

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World Cup: Kobel wins "Man of the Match" as Switzerland eliminate Luis Díaz's Colombia on penalties

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Johan Manzambi ruled out for Switzerland against Colombia as Ruben Vargas and Djibril Sow doubts

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Kobel the hero as Switzerland knock out Colombia on penalties

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