Switzerland Reaches World Cup Quarterfinals After 72-Year Wait, Beats Colombia on Penalties

Switzerland secured a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Colombia on Tuesday in Vancouver, winning 4-3 after the match ended 0-0 in regular and extra time. The win brought the Swiss back to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954.

Neither team managed to score in 120 minutes. Colombia came closest in the 99th minute when John Lucumí headed a corner from Juan Quintero onto the crossbar. Later, Haminton Campas saw his long-range shot saved by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, and then fired over the bar from close range.

In the penalty shootout, Quintero scored first, followed by Granit Xhaka to make it 1-1. Davinson Sánchez hit the post for Colombia, while Zeki Amdouni converted to give Switzerland the lead. Campas equalized in the third round, but Manuel Akanji sent his penalty high over the bar. Kobel saved Cucho Hernández's spot kick in the fourth round, and Cedric Itten scored to put Switzerland 3-2 ahead. After Luis Díaz scored in the fifth round, Ruben Vargas calmly converted the decisive penalty for a 4-3 win.

Switzerland will face Argentina in the quarterfinals; Argentina earlier defeated Egypt 3-2. Other quarterfinal matches include France vs. Morocco, England vs. Norway, and Spain vs. Belgium. This is the first World Cup featuring 48 teams, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Argentina are the reigning champions, having beaten France in the 2022 final.