Switzerland reached the World Cup quarter-finals after a tense 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Colombia at BC Place Vancouver, following a 0-0 draw across 120 minutes. Gregor Kobel saved Cucho Hernandez’s effort, then substitute Ruben Vargas converted the decisive kick, setting up a last-eight meeting with reigning champions Argentina on Saturday.
The shoot-out swung back and forth. Juan Fernando Quintero scored first, then Granit Xhaka’s penalty was pushed onto the post by Camilo Vargas but still went in. Davinson Sanchez crashed Colombia’s second attempt against the bar, offering Switzerland an early advantage that briefly eased the pressure.
Colombia briefly recovered in the shoot-out when Jaminton Campaz squeezed a low kick under Kobel,
after Zeki Amdouni had kept Switzerland level with a calm strike. Manuel Akanji then ballooned his attempt over, restoring parity, before Kobel’s block from Hernandez allowed Vargas to step up and seal Switzerland’s progress.
Across normal time, neither side created many clear chances, and both attacks struggled to gain control. Opta recorded just 0.7 expected goals combined, with Switzerland at 0.3 and Colombia at 0.4. It was the lowest xG total in regular time for any match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
0.7 - Switzerland and Colombia's combined xG at the end of the second half was just 0.7. That's the lowest in normal time of any match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Inhibited. pic.twitter.com/GK2BAU8fjgOptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 7, 2026
The attacking numbers reflected a tight World Cup contest between Switzerland and Colombia, with both midfields cautious. During the first 90 minutes, Colombia registered seven shots, while Switzerland managed six. Extra time shifted momentum, as Colombia produced eight more attempts, compared to a single speculative lob from Xhaka.
Switzerland’s opportunities before extra time came mostly from distance. Fabian Rieder forced an early stop from Camilo Vargas, then Dan Ndoye’s low effort also tested the Colombia goalkeeper, though both saves were routine. Just after half-time, substitute Djibril Sow found space on the edge of the area but fired his shot over the crossbar.
World Cup Switzerland vs Colombia key chances in normal and extra time
Colombia created the standout chances late on. Jhon Lucumi met Quintero’s corner with a powerful header that struck the bar, beating Kobel but not the frame. Soon after, Campaz tried a swerving long-range shot, which Kobel reacted to smartly, pushing the dipping strike away under pressure.
The clearest opening of the entire Switzerland versus Colombia tie arrived in the 115th minute, after Xhaka lost the ball near Switzerland’s penalty area. Campaz pounced, advanced into space and shot from a promising position, yet the forward leaned back and sent the ball over, missing the chance to avoid penalties.
World Cup Switzerland vs Colombia tactical approach and knockout context
This World Cup meeting between Switzerland and Colombia became only the second knockout match since 2018 to finish 0-0 after extra time, following Morocco v Spain in the 2022 last 16. Colombia increased the tempo across the additional 30 minutes, yet the extra attacking intent did not produce a decisive goal.
Switzerland appeared content to take the World Cup clash with Colombia to penalties, despite a modest record in previous shoot-outs. Before Vancouver, Switzerland had progressed in only one of five major tournament shoot-outs, edging France 5-4 at Euro 2020. The approach carried risk, given Colombia’s strong extra-time pressure.
Kobel’s performance shifted that history. The Switzerland goalkeeper saved all three shots on target faced during open play and guessed correctly several times in the shoot-out. With Argentina awaiting in the quarter-finals, Switzerland will again rely on Kobel’s form, as well as improved attacking sharpness, to extend this World Cup campaign.
