Switzerland Reach Quarter-finals After 72 Years, Defeat Colombia on Penalties

Darwin, 08 July : Ruben Vargas carefully composed himself before taking Switzerland’s decisive penalty. If he found the back of the net, the Swiss would book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals. He did exactly that.

As Vargas scored, Switzerland erupted in celebration. It was a historic moment, as the European nation reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years.

Early Wednesday morning (Bangladesh time) in Vancouver, Switzerland defeated Colombia 4–3 in the penalty shootout in their Round of 16 clash. Neither side managed to score during the 90 minutes of regulation time or the 30 minutes of extra time, with the match ending in a goalless draw before being decided from the spot.

Both teams converted their opening penalties. Colombia’s Davinson Sánchez missed the second kick, while Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji failed to convert the third. Colombia then suffered another setback when Cucho Hernández missed the fourth penalty. Switzerland sealed the victory by converting their fifth and final spot kick.

It will be Switzerland’s third appearance in a World Cup quarter-final. Their previous quarter-final came at the 1954 World Cup, and they have never advanced to the semi-finals. With history now within reach, the Swiss will face defending champions Argentina in the last eight.

Colombia, meanwhile, had previously reached the World Cup quarter-finals only once, at the 2014 tournament. The South American side returned to the World Cup this year after an eight-year absence.

The match also concluded the Round of 16 stage of this year’s World Cup. The quarter-finals will begin on Thursday night with the clash between France and Morocco.