Switzerland 4-3 Colombia on Penalties: 120 Scoreless Minutes, Then Pure Drama
Switzerland
ColombiaTwo disciplined, well-organised teams cancelled each other out for two full hours at BC Place — 90 minutes plus extra time without a single goal. It took a penalty shootout, five kicks each and three misses between them, for Switzerland to finally see off Colombia 4-3 and book a Quarterfinal date with Argentina.
120 Minutes Without a Goal
This was exactly the tactical stalemate the pre-match preview predicted: Swiss discipline against Colombian craft, with neither side able to find a decisive edge. Cards piled up as the tension grew — Granit Xhaka and Denis Zakaria booked for Switzerland, Colombia's midfield picking up cautions of their own — but clear chances were rare on both sides.
Extra time changed nothing on the scoreboard, despite fresh legs coming on for both sides. By the 120th minute, this quarterfinal spot was going to be decided the hardest way possible.
Kick by Kick: How Switzerland Won It
Colombia's Juan Fernando Quintero stepped up first and scored. Xhaka replied for Switzerland. Then the shootout swung: Colombia's Davinson Sánchez missed, Switzerland's Zeki Amdouni scored, Colombia's Jhon Arias converted, and Switzerland's Manuel Akanji missed to level the pressure again.
With the shootout delicately poised, Colombia's Carlos Hernández missed his attempt — the decisive moment. Cédric Itten scored to put Switzerland in control, and Ruben Vargas stepped up to seal it, converting the winning penalty for a 4-3 shootout victory. Luis Díaz scored Colombia's final kick, but by then it was already a consolation.
Colombia: Heads Held High
Colombia arrived at this tournament having beaten Ghana in the Round of 32 and matched one of the most disciplined defences in the competition for two full hours. A penalty shootout is close to a coin flip at the best of times, and this Colombia side gave themselves every chance of winning it. Their World Cup ends with credit, not regret.
What's Next for Switzerland
Switzerland advance to face defending champions Argentina in the Quarterfinal at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on July 11 — arguably their toughest test of the tournament so far, against a team that has shown it can be vulnerable but always finds a way through.
5 Numbers That Tell the Story
1. 120 minutes played without either team scoring from open play.
2. 10 total penalties taken in the shootout — 5 each.
3. 3 penalties missed across both teams: Sánchez and Hernández for Colombia, Akanji for Switzerland.
4. Switzerland converted 4 of their 5 shootout penalties.
5. Switzerland now face Argentina in the Quarterfinal on July 11 in Kansas City.