Vancouver: Ruben Vargas scored his penalty and Switzerland advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals with a 4-3 win over Colombia after a goalless draw on Wednesday morning AEST.
Switzerland will face defending champions Argentina on Sunday at 11:00 AEST at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 early in the day.
Switzerland had not reached the World Cup quarter-finals since hosting the tournament in 1954. And the Swiss were without midfielder Johan Manzambi, who was injured in training on Tuesday AEST.
Vargas, who has scored twice at the World Cup, also left training early but was found off the bench and came on in stoppage time at the end of regulation.
Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez’s penalty attempt hit the crossbar and Swiss goalkeeper Grego Kobel saved Cucho Hernandez’s attempt, giving Switzerland the advantage in the shootout.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among those at BC Place, where a sell-out crowd was dressed in yellow to support Colombia.
Colombia failed to qualify for the last World Cup in 2022. The team qualified for the quarter-finals in the 2014 tournament in Brazil, defeating Uruguay in the round of 16 before losing to the host country 2-1.
The Swiss reached the round of 16 in the last three World Cups but failed to advance with a small field of 32 teams.
The match was contested by two teams with different styles, Switzerland with a more organized approach and Colombia with a more attacking approach.
Switzerland had a slight edge in possession but both teams had very few shots on goal.
AP
