Switzerland has secured a spot in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 by defeating Colombia in a penalty shootout. Ruben Vargas scored the winning penalty, propelling Switzerland to the quarterfinals after more than seven decades. They are set to face Argentina in the next stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Swiss team faced a setback before the match as Johan Manzambi, a key player, was sidelined due to a knee injury. This absence was noticeable in the first half dominated by Colombia, although clear goal-scoring opportunities were scarce.
Despite Colombia’s efforts, including a close attempt by Gustavo Puerta, the match remained goalless. The game saw limited goal-scoring chances, with both teams struggling to find the back of the net.
In a tense encounter that went into extra time, both teams had opportunities to score, with Jhon Lucumi hitting the crossbar for Colombia and Zeki Amdouni testing the Colombian goalkeeper. Ultimately, Switzerland emerged victorious in the penalty shootout, with Ruben Vargas securing their spot in the quarterfinals.
