Switzerland 0-0 Colombia (4-3) in pens) – Vargas books quarter-final against Argentina
Ruben Vargas scored the decisive penalty as Switzerland reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in 72 years with a narrow victory over Colombia.
Switzerland, who lost tournament talisman Johan Manzambi, were lucky not to be left behind in the cage match in Vancouver, where Colombia had better chances.
Since 1954 Switzerland hosted the tournament, Switzerland had the pleasure of advancing to the last eight, but substitute Vargas settled the contest that saw Colombia fail twice from 12 yards, the South American team lost on penalties in the last 16 for the second time in as many games of the tournament. They suffered a similar fate against England in 2018 before failing to qualify for the 2022 final.
Switzerland will face defending champions Argentina in the last eight on Saturday. Murat Yakin’s men will be in the spotlight in this game but, after Argentina needed a late comeback to see off Egypt earlier on Tuesday, Switzerland can at least hope for an upset that could see them break through to the biggest stage.
Switzerland denies that Colombia is over waiting for the quarter-finals
Gustavo Puerta came close to ending the game in spectacular style as his curling effort was blocked by Gregor Kobel, his Colombian team-mate Camilo Vargas had to deny Fabian Rieder and Dan Ndoye with two saves in three minutes.
Chances dried up in the second half of normal time, although Luis Suarez spurned a chance to give Colombia the lead as he made a big save after dispossessing Granit Xhaka.
Extra time was made for a more entertaining spectacle as Colombia’s Jhon Lucumi headed in a cross before substitute Jaminton Campaz almost caught Kobel unawares with a long-range strike.
Zeki Amdouni then saw a close-range effort deflected by Camilo Vargas and Xhaka bent over on the edge of the area, but the best chance of extra time arguably fell to Campaz, who somehow blazed over the crossbar with only Kobel to score after pouncing on a Swiss defensive error.
That miss ended up being costly as, after Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez and Switzerland’s Manuel Akanj both missed, Kobel’s excellent save from Cucho Hernandez gave Yakin’s team a chance to shoot which they did not relinquish, Ruben Vargas kept his composure to play home and seal the tie with Lionel Messi and Co.
World Cup 2026: Team Switzerland vs Colombia
Manzambi was outside Switzerland due to an injury during training. Ruben Vargas moved to the bench, Ardon Jashari and Fabian Rieder came on.
Switzerland starting XI: Gregor Kobel, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez, Denis Zakaria, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Ardon Jashari, Fabian Rieder, Breel Embolo, Dan Ndoye
in Switzerland instead of: Yvon Mvogo, Marvin Keller, Miro Muheim, Silvan Widmer, Eray Comet, Aurele Amenda, Djibril Sow, Christian Fassnacht, Ruben Vargas, Noah Okafor, Zeki Amdouni, Cedric Itten
World Cup 2026: Team Colombia vs Switzerland
Luis Suarez, who scored Colombia’s winner against Ghana after coming off the bench, replaced Jhon Cordoba as Nestor Lorenzo made one change.
Colombia starting XI: Camilo Vargas, Daniel Munoz, Jhon Lucumi, Gustavo Puerta, Johan Mojica, Davinson Sanchez, James Rodriguez, Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Luis Diaz, Luis Suarez
in Colombia instead of: David Ospina, Alvaro Montero, Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, Wiler Ditta, Deiver Machado, Kevin Castano, Richard Rios, Jorge Carrascal, Jilan Portilla, Juan Quintero, Jhon Cordoba, Cucho Hernandez, Jaminton Campaz, Andres Gomez
