Switzerland eliminated Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout to advance to the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals following a grueling 0-0 draw at BC Place Vancouver. The result ends a 72-year drought. Switzerland is heading to the quarterfinal stage for the first time since 1954.
Gregor Kobel delivered a Player of the Match performance to keep the South Americans off the scoreboard over 120 minutes. The goalkeeper produced vital stops against Gustavo Puerta and Jáminton Campaz. Colombia pressed hard late in extra time. Jhon Lucumí nearly ended it when he struck the crossbar with a 98th-minute header.
Instead, the scoreless regulation finish forced a shootout.
The momentum shifted immediately. Colombia’s Davinson Sánchez fired his attempt off the crossbar. Kobel then stepped up to save a strike from Cucho Hernández. That specific sequence allowed Rubén Vargas, who entered as a late substitute, to comfortably sink the decisive spot-kick and seal the 4-3 win.
Switzerland advances to play defending champions Argentina, who recently knocked out Egypt, in the next round.