Switzerland beat Colombia to reach first World Cup quarter-finals in 72 years

Switzerland defeated Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw on Tuesday to set up a World Cup quarter-final with defending champions Argentina.

The two teams cancelled each other out in the final game of the last 16. The game in Vancouver was also the last at the 2026 tournament to be played outside the United States.

Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez hit the bar in a nerve-wracking shootout but Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji ballooned his effort over, meaning it was all square again.

Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel then regained the initiative for his team, brilliantly saving Cucho Hernandez’s effort.

After two more successful kicks, Ruben Vargas stepped up to take the decisive penalty and made no mistake.

It is the first time Switzerland have reached the last eight of the World Cup since they hosted the tournament in 1954.

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Victorious captain Granit Xhaka said the current generation of players was a “special one”.

Xhaka said: “We, the more experienced players, are being pushed by the younger ones, and at the same time we have to lead by example every single day and every single game.

“Of course, we try to pass on our experience, but above all the mentality that, even as a small nation, anything is possible at this level, in elite football.

“From the coaching staff to the last player, we can all be proud of what we’ve achieved.”