Switzerland are through to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 after beating Colombia in a penalty shootout on Tuesday in the round of 16. The match ended 0-0 after 120 minutes, and the Swiss took the shootout, 4-3, and now they'll face Argentina on Saturday night in Kansas City.
The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, and no team could find the goal in added time, with both missing chances, though Colombia had the better looks as the contest went on.
In the shootout, Davinson Sanchez took Colombia's second and rocked it off the crossbar and goal line, failing to convert, and the Swiss took advantage, with Cucho Hernandez seeing his penalty, Colombia's fourth, saved. Ruben Vargas converted the fifth and final kick to cement the victory.
Vargas makes it and Switzerland knock Colombia out of the World Cup in the round of 16! The Swiss national team will now face Argentina in the quarter finals. Huge!
Luis Diaz scores a perfect one but now everything depends on the last penalty!
Switzerland ahead now after the one scored by Itten.
What a save here from Kobel on Hernandez!
The first miss for Switzerland! Manuel Akanji blazes his penalty over the crossbar.
Kobel saw it coming but doesn't save it on his left side. It's 2-2 now.
It's 2-1 for Switzerland now: another perfect execution.
That's a huge miss! His penalty crashes off the crossbar, bounces down onto the goal line, and stays out.
A risky one, but the former Arsenal player doesn't miss it despite Vargas was very close to a big save.
A perect execution of the attacking player.
120' That's the end of extra time, and it's only fitting that this one will be decided from the penalty spot. The team that will face Argentina in the quarter finals will be determined in the shootout.
116' Colombia had their biggest chance of the game with Campaz after a big mistake of the Swiss defense but he wasn't able to shoot on target from few meters... penalties are getting closer.
105' Before the end of the first half of extra time, the Swiss team also had a big chance with Amdouni but his attempt is saved by Vargas.
100' So close for Colombia! Lucumí rises highest to meet a perfectly delivered corner with an header, but it crashes against the crossbar. Few moments later, Campaz carves out a great shooting opportunity and lets fly from long range, aiming for the bottom-right corner. Kobel saves it.
90' It definitely wasn't the most exciting match of the World Cup so far and the game will go at extra time now...
62' Luis Suarez tries his luck from distance for Colombia, but he drags his shot wide of the post. With the amount of space he had, he felt he should have at least tested the goalkeeper.
49' Switzerland are asking for a penalty here for a possible foul on Ndoye but the referee doesn't look like he's going to give it. Not a penalty at the end.
That's it for the first half, and it hasn't been too fun. Just three shots on target between the two teams in the opening 45 minutes. There have been a couple of fine saves, but clear chances have been only few.
28' Rieder had the first big chance for the Swiss but his attempt was saved by Vargas: Looks like Switzerland improved after the hydration break...
20' Gustavo Puerta unleashes a strike from the edge of the box, but Gregor Kobel gets down brilliantly to his right to produce a spectacular save.
15' Colombia had a better start compared to Switzerland, but the South American side didn't produce big chances yet in this first half.
1' Here we go! The game has started here in Vancouver: Let's see who will meet Argentina in the quarter finals.
Let's take a look at the lineups now:
Switzerland: Gregor Kobel; Denis Zakaria, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez; Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka; Fabian Rieder, Ardon Jashari, Dan Ndoye; Breel Embolo.
Colombia: Camilo Vargas; Johan Mojica, Jhon Lucumí, Davinson Sánchez, Daniel Muñoz; Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Gustavo Puerta; Luis Díaz, Luis Suárez, James Rodríguez.
Which dark horse will lead the race? It's truly up for grabs, but maybe the team with the healthier injury report will go further in the tournament. Pick: Switzerland 2, Colombia 1
Date: Tuesday, July 7 | Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: BC Place -- Vancouver, British Columbia
TV: Fox (Eng), Telemundo (Spa) | Live stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Odds: Switzerland +250 | Draw +700 | Colombia -600
What a day it's been so far—but we're not done yet. One final eound of 16 showdown remains as Colombia and Switzerland battle for a place in the quarter finals. The winner will face Argentina on Saturday. I'm Francesco Porzio, and we're underway!
