Switzerland are through to the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals after edging past Colombia in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout, winning 4-3 from the spot after 120 goalless minutes in their Round of 16 clash.
Neither side could find a breakthrough in normal time or extra time, with both defenses standing firm through a tense, tightly contested 0-0 draw that went the distance. With the match still level after 120 minutes, the tie went to penalties to decide who would advance.
Switzerland held their nerve when it mattered most, converting four of their spot-kicks to Colombia’s three and sealing a dramatic 4-3 shootout win. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was at the heart of the victory, producing a string of big saves and earning the Superior Player of the Match award for his performance between the posts.
The Swiss celebrated wildly at the final whistle after a match defined by defensive resilience rather than goals, with players sprinting the length of the pitch in jubilation once the winning penalty went in.
Switzerland’s reward is a quarter-final meeting with Argentina on July 11 in Kansas City, a mouthwatering clash between the shootout heroes and the two-time defending champions. Colombia, meanwhile, will rue missed chances in normal time as their World Cup run comes to an end in the last 16.