Switzerland advances to the World Cup Quarterfinals after eliminating Colombia on penalties on day four of the Round of 16

Switzerland is on its way to the World Cup Quarterfinals for the first time since 1954! They advanced to the next round after taking down Colombia on penalties.

The Swiss now have a date with Argentina on Saturday for a spot in the semi-finals. 

If you thought Switzerland and Colombia were going to provide the same amount of craziness that Argentina and Egypt provided earlier in the day, you were very, very wrong. Neither side scored in 120 minutes, ultimately sending the match to penalties. Gregor Kobel and the Swiss escaped penalties with a 4-3 victory. 

World Cup Round of 16 – Switzerland vs Colombia

Both teams had their fair share of chances in the first half, but nothing came of them. Colombia just narrowly controlled possession with 51% – 49%. Switzerland had two shots on target, while Colombia had just one. Colombia also had 0.25 xG compared to 0.06 xG for Switzerland. A whole lot of nada. 

The second half was just really an extended version of the first. The Swiss controlled possession in this one, 56% to 44%, but had four shots, none of which were on target. Colombia managed two, with one on target. 

Across the entire 90 minutes, both teams combined for 0.7 xG. This is the lowest total after 90 minutes in the entire tournament. 

Colombia managed to add a bit more pressure throughout extra time. Jhon Lucumi and Juan Fernando Quintero had two stellar chances to put Colombia ahead but failed to convert. After another 30-minute stalemate of extra time, penalties would be the lone decider. 

Switzerland’s Gregor Kobel in action as he saves a header from Colombia’s Jhon Lucumi

Lee Smith

Juan Quintero and Granit Xhaka started the shootout, both scoring. Davison Sánchez stepped up second for Colombia, and his shot rattled off the crossbar.

Zeki Amdouni stepped up next and fired the ball into the bottom right corner. Advantage Switzerland. 

Jaminton Campaz stepped up next, with his shot just sneaking under Kobel to level things. 

Manuel Akanji came up trying to put the Swiss back ahead, but fired the ball way over the crossbar and into the stands!

Colombia’s Luis Diaz looks dejected after the match as Colombia are eliminated from the World Cup

Albert Gea

Cucho Hernández came up next, ready to give Colombia the lead, but was denied by Kobel! Kobel read the shot perfectly and got both hands on the ball for a diving save. 

Next up came Cedric Itten, who scored right down the middle to put the Swiss back in the lead. 

Luis Díaz stepped up next with the match on the line for Colombia. A miss, and they are eliminated. A goal, and they stay alive for another round. Díaz approached the ball quickly, slowed down, stutter-stepped, and fired the ball into the bottom left corner. Colombia survived, for now. 

Rubén Vargas stepped up next for Switzerland. A goal means the Swiss move on to the quarterfinals. A miss, and Colombia moves on. Vargas vs. Vargas. Rubén approached the ball with small hops to play mind games, sending Camilo Vargas diving in the opposite direction. Switzerland advances. 

Switzerland’s Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji and Eray Comert celebrate after the penalty shootout as Switzerland qualify for the quarter finals of the World Cup

SIMON FEARN

Coming into this penalty shootout, Switzerland had only won one of their previous five penalty shootouts at major tournaments. The last win came in the Round of 16 at Euro 2020 against France. Yann Sommer stood tall for Switzerland five years ago, and Kobel did the same at the World Cup. 

Switzerland will have the ultimate test on Saturday in a matchup against Lionel Messi and Argentina. Argentina is no stranger to winning on penalties, and the Swiss will need to do everything possible to avoid getting to that point again. 

The Swiss came into the tournament ranked #19 in the FIFA World Rankings and now find themselves among the final eight teams standing at the World Cup. 

For Colombia, it’s a disappointment in their first return to the tournament since 2018. They went the distance in the 2024 Copa América, falling to Argentina in the final. We most likely saw the last of James Rodríguez at the World Cup, too. 

Colombia continued to advance despite a lack of goal-scoring in this tournament, and it finally bit them in this loss.

Quarterfinal Matchups