Switzerland wrote a new chapter in history when they defeated Colombia in a nail-biter penalty shootout 4-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 for the first time in 72 years. After 120 tense minutes of a 0-0 draw, Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel took the ball for their team and Ruben Vargas scored the decisive spot kick to send the Swiss to a blockbuster last-eight clash against defending champions Argentina.
The win was Switzerland’s first place in a World Cup quarter-final since 1954 after decades of heartbreak following a series of Round of 16 losses in 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022. Murat Yakin’s disciplined side also won despite not showing their best attacking ability.
Switzerland came to the match with many challenges already stacked against them. Johan Manzambi was out and Ruben Vargas had a knock. Such setbacks showed in their performance, as the Swiss had only two shots on target in total over 120 minutes.
Colombia, with thousands of passionate fans who made BC Place a sea of yellow, looked the more dangerous side for long spells. The South Americans controlled possession and created the better opportunities, hoping to reach only the second World Cup quarter-final in their history.
Their best chance in the first half came in the 21st minute when Gustavo Puerta curled a powerful effort toward the far corner. Gregor Kobel reacted with perfection to keep the game level with a diving full stretch save.
Switzerland’s best chance before the interval was made by Fabian Rieder and his shot from close distance on a tight angle forced Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas to make a key save. Surprisingly, that was one of the only two shots on target that Switzerland had in the whole game.
Despite Colombia’s attacking pressure, Switzerland’s defense was organised and composed. Led by Manuel Akanji and marshalled by Kobel, Switzerland frustrated Colombia’s forwards and denied them clear-cut opportunities inside the penalty area.
The second half was also similar with Colombia pressing forward and Switzerland relying on sound defensive discipline and quick counter-attacks. Dan Ndoye almost stole victory in stoppage time of normal time after timing his run perfectly but his low effort drifted agonisingly wide of the far post.
Extra time was testing both teams physically and mentally. Colombia continued to try to get the breakthrough but Switzerland refused to break down their defensive structure. The closest either side came to goal was when Jhon Lucumi soared high to meet a Colombian corner with a powerful header that hit the crossbar with Kobel beaten.
With neither side able to find the all-out goal, the match went to penalties for the fourth time in the knockout phase of the tournament.
The shootout quickly turned to Switzerland. Davinson Sanchez hit the crossbar before Gregor Kobel made the biggest save of the night, diving to deny Cucho Hernandez. Manuel Akanji missed his penalty to briefly revive Colombia’s hopes but Ruben Vargas took it with such cool and clinical skill to win the game and put it into the bottom corner, bringing the Swiss players and fans to tears.
Vargas said after the match that “it is very difficult for me to realise what we achieved today.”
I'm very grateful for this moment. I had an amazing match for me. We gave it all on the pitch for 120 minutes. We were up against a very tough opponent but now we made history.
The victory also extended Switzerland's unbeaten run in competitive games to 11 matches and continued a strange World Cup trend of the team taking the second penalty now winning 13 of the last 15 men's World Cup shootouts.
The challenge is even more daunting. Switzerland’s reward is a quarter-final with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, who had come back from two goals down to eliminate Egypt earlier in the day. The world champions will be favourites, but Switzerland has shown throughout the tournament that they are resilient, they do well to stay organized and they have belief.
Murat Yakin’s team has already etched their name into Swiss football history after more than seven decades to return to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Their next mission is even bigger: stopping Lionel Messi and Argentina’s bid to win the World Cup gold.
