​Ruben Vargas converted his penalty as Switzerland advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals with a 4-3 victory in a shootout after a scoreless draw with Colombia on Tuesday. The Swiss will meet defending champion Argentina on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, a day after Argentina beat Egypt 3-2. Switzerland had not reached the World Cup quarterfinals since hosting the tournament in 1954, and they were shorthanded that day with young midfielder Johan Manzambi sidelined by an injury suffered in training on Monday. Vargas, who has scored twice in the tournament, also left Monday’s session early but remained available off the bench and appeared in stoppage time at the end of regulation.
Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez struck the crossbar with his penalty attempt, and Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved Cucho Hernandez’s kick. FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the BC Place match, where a sellout crowd mostly dressed in yellow cheered on Colombia. Colombia had failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The team had reached the quarterfinals in 2014 in Brazil, defeating Uruguay in the round of 16 before losing to the host nation 2-1. By contrast, the Swiss had reached the round of 16 in each of the past three World Cups but did not advance in the current 32-team format.
Switzerland players celebrate with supporters after winning in the penalty shootout, while Colombia players show dejection following the defeat. The match featured two teams with contrasting styles: the Swiss emphasized organization, while Colombia pursued a more attack-oriented approach, with possession slightly tilted in favor of the Swiss. Manzambi, a 20-year-old midfielder for Freiburg in Germany, had been one of the tournament’s breakout stars with three World Cup goals, but he remained out along with Luca Jaquez and Michel Aebischer.
Colombia had the first notable chance in the 21st minute when Gustavo Puerta fired from distance, but Kobel saved. One of Switzerland’s best opportunities came in the 30th minute when Fabian Reider rocketed a shot at Camilo Vargas, who punched the ball downward. Shortly thereafter, Vargas denied another opportunity from Dan Ndoye. A free kick for Switzerland in the 52nd minute saw Reider’s attempt bend around the wall and miss the target, hitting the side netting. In the first extra period, Jhon Lucumí’s header struck the crossbar and deflected away as Colombia pressed Kobel.
Colombia and Switzerland had previously met in the 1994 World Cup group stage in the United States, with Colombia winning 2-0. The standout moment of the shootout came when Ruben Vargas of Switzerland scored the decisive fifth penalty to seal the win for the Swiss. The result sends Switzerland into a clash with Argentina, who had already secured a victory over Egypt earlier in the day.