VANCOUVER: Switzerland reached their first FIFA World Cup quarter-final since 1954 after beating Colombia 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw in a tense Round of 16 match at BC Place in Vancouver on Tuesday.
Ruben Vargas scored the decisive penalty in the fifth round of the shootout, calmly placing his effort into the bottom-left corner past Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas.
Colombia missed two penalties in the shootout. Davinson Sanchez failed to convert their second attempt, while Juan Hernandez was denied by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel after going for power to his left.
Switzerland also missed once when Manuel Akanji sent his third-round penalty over the bar, but Kobel’s save restored their advantage before Vargas completed the victory.
Kobel was Switzerland’s hero throughout the match, making three saves in regulation and extra time as Colombia pushed hard for a breakthrough.
Colombia dominated the extra period, holding an 8-1 advantage in shots. Their best chance came in the 99th minute when Jhon Lucumi’s header from a Juan Quintero corner struck the top of the crossbar.
Earlier, Kobel produced a diving save to deny Gustavo Puerta in the 21st minute, while Camilo Vargas stopped Fabien Rieder’s effort in the 30th minute.
Switzerland will now face Argentina in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Kansas City.
