Switzerland defeated Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in their World Cup last-16 match at BC Place in Vancouver, advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954. The Swiss will face Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, in Kansas City in four days.
Penalty shootout drama ends tense affair
After 120 minutes of football that produced no goals, the match was decided from the spot. Switzerland converted all four of their penalties, while Colombia missed one, sending the Swiss players into jubilant celebrations as their opponents collapsed to the turf.
Davinson Sánchez looked to the heavens, Cucho Hernández trudged back to his teammates, and the rest of the Colombian team were left on the grass as Switzerland danced in a sea of yellow. The victory marks Switzerland's first quarter-final appearance since 1954, when the tournament featured only 16 teams and the last 16 was the first knockout round.
Stalemate in regular time
The match was more of a chess game than a football match, with both teams probing and prodding equally for over 120 minutes. Possession remained even, and midfields took turns controlling proceedings, but only for minutes at a time. Long balls were traded to test capable backlines, but neither side could find a breakthrough.
The game could have benefited from the finishing touch of Swiss breakout star Johan Manzambi, their leading scorer who missed the match due to a knee injury sustained in training. Colombia continued to run their attack through James Rodríguez, who was substituted in the 66th minute to a standing ovation.
Colombia's missed chances
Colombia had the first clear chance in the 21st minute when Gustavo Puerta's curling effort was saved by Gregor Kobel. Switzerland responded nine minutes later when Fabian Rieder forced a fine save from Camilo Vargas. In the 63rd minute, Colombia's Luis Suárez intercepted a pass from Granit Xhaka but shot high and wide from an open position.
In extra time, Colombia were denied a penalty in the 93rd minute when Jaminton Campaz was tripped by Miro Muheim. Five minutes later, Jhon Lucumí's header hit the crossbar. Campaz then fired over the bar from 10 yards in the 116th minute, summing up Colombia's night in front of goal.
Atmosphere and conditions
The distinctive roof of BC Place remained closed on a warm, sunny day, with an air conditioning system that seemed slightly overmatched. A thick humidity permeated the air in the final World Cup game at this venue and in Canada as a whole, closing the co-host nation's involvement in the tournament.
The conditions did nothing to dampen the boisterous crowd of 52,497, the vast majority of whom wore bright Colombian yellow. They sang throughout and jeered whenever their side were out of possession.
Switzerland's resilience
Switzerland brought on Djibril Sow at half-time, and he nearly scored within minutes of the restart. Zeki Amdouni also forced a save from Vargas in extra time. The Swiss defense remained stout, foiling Colombia's breakaways and keeping the clean sheet.
Switzerland now face a tall task against Argentina, but their first quarter-final in 72 years is a remarkable achievement.
