After 120 minutes failed to produce a goal, Switzerland held their nerve to beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties and book the final spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made a crucial save in the shootout before Ruben Vargas calmly converted the winning penalty, sending the Swiss into the last eight, where they will face Argentina.
FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 16 | Colombia vs Switzerland | HIGHLIGHTS
4.30 am: Live updates for this match have ended.
4.21 am: Vargas SCORES. Switzerland are through to the quarter-finals.
Vargas keeps his composure from the spot, burying the decisive penalty to send Switzerland into the quarter-finals. They will meet defending champions Argentina in the next round.
🚨🇨🇭 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Switzerland make HISTORY! For the first time in 72 years, they have reached the World Cup quarter-final! 🤯✅
Congratulations to Murat Yakin and his team. Brilliant achievement. 👏 pic.twitter.com/Ojd0x4Loyq
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 7, 2026
4.20 am: Diaz scores, keeps hopes alive for Colombia
4.19 am: Switzerland scores. 3-2
4.18 am: KOBEL with the save.
4.17 am: AKANJI SKIES IT. All square again!
4.16 am: Campaz scores to keep Colombia alive.
4.15 am: Amdouni scores for Switzerland. Advantage to the REDS!
4.14 am: Davinson Sanchez hits the crossbar.
4.13 am: Xhaka scores, goalkeeper gets a touch. It’s all level AGAIN!
4.12 am: Quintero scores. Advantage COLOMBIA!
4.10 am: Colombia to take first penalty
4.05 am: End of extra-time
Switzerland nil, Colombia nil. Spot kicks to come!
3.59 am: Quintero misses from close range
Quintero comes 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper. He pauses for some time before taking the shot with his preferred left foot. But shoots it over the CROSSBAR! The best opportunity in the match so far!
3.57 am: Xhaka could not keep it down
Xhaka gets the ball at the edge of the box. He tries to find the second top corner with a finesse shot, but fires wide. Expected from him to hit the target at least from that range! Still goalless after 113 minutes.
3.51 am: Penalty looming
With just 15 minutes left, the match is headed toward penalties.
3.38 am: OFF the crossbar!
Lucumi rises high from a cross, reaches the ball and heads it toward the goal. The ball bounces off after hitting the woodwork! CLOSE!
3.25 am: Full-time. Match rolls on to extra-time
Regulation time could not separate Switzerland and Colombia as a hard-fought Round of 16 contest finishes goalless, with the final quarter-final spot to be decided in extra-time or maybe penalties!
3.20 am: Chance for the Swiss
Ndoye fires it wide from inside the right side of the penalty box.
3.11 am: Tactical substitutions for Colombia
Colombia makes a double change. Richord Rios comes in for Jefferson Lerma, and Chucho Hernandez comes in for Luis Suarez.
2.57 am: Hydration break. Still 0-0
2.41 am: Xhaka picks up a yellow
The referee lets the game continue after Xhaka’s dangerous open-boot challenge on Puerta. However, after the move is over, Xhaka is shown a YELLOW card! It’s still goalless.
2.39 am: Penalty appeal from Switzerland
A tackle inside the Colombian penalty box, and Switzerland appeals for a penalty. However, it is denied by the referee.
2.19 am: It’s neck-and-neck at half-time.
2.13 am: Excellent defending by Freuler
Freuler times his challenge to perfection, denying Colombia a dangerous opening inside the Swiss penalty area.
1.59 am: Another big save. This time on the other side
A run from the left flank by the Swiss, followed by a low drive shot by Rieder, which was brilliantly parried away by Vargas. GAME ON!
1.52 am: Brilliant SAVE!
A curling shot from Diaz, which was going in, but Kobel with a brilliant SAVE!
1.50 am: Slow start in Vancouver
Neither Switzerland nor Colombia has managed to create a clear-cut chance within 20 minutes.
1.30 am: Kick off
Kick-off! Switzerland and Colombia are underway, with a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals at stake.
Ready to go in Vancouver. 🇨🇭🏟️🇨🇴#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 7, 2026