Switzerland secured a 4-3 victory over Colombia in a penalty shootout following a goalless 120 minutes on July 7, 2026, in Vancouver. This win advances Switzerland to their first World Cup quarter-final since 1954, where they will face defending champions Argentina in Kansas City.

The shootout turned in Switzerland's favor when goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved Colombia's Cucho Hernandez's penalty. Colombia's Davinson Sanchez had earlier hit the crossbar. Although Swiss defender Manuel Akanji missed his penalty by shooting over the bar, Ruben Vargas successfully converted the winning kick into the bottom corner.

Vargas reflected on the achievement, saying, "It is very difficult for me to realise what we achieved today," and added, "I'm grateful for this moment. It was an amazing match for me. For 120 minutes we gave it all on the pitch. We faced a strong opponent, but now we made history... It was amazing that I could score the decisive penalty."

Colombia faced heartbreak as they aimed to reach the quarter-finals for only the second time in their history, having previously done so in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The match featured notable moments such as Colombia midfielder Gustavo Puerta's curling shot in the 21st minute, which was superbly saved by Kobel, and Swiss winger Dan Ndoye's near-winning chance in the 91st minute.

Switzerland suffered a setback before kickoff when 20-year-old attacker Johan Manzambi, their breakout star with three goals and two assists in the tournament, was ruled out due to a knee injury sustained in training.

The Swiss will meet Argentina, who earlier on the same day staged a comeback from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2, in the quarter-finals.

Sources