Ruben Vargas scored the decisive penalty as Switzerland reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in 72 years with a shootout win over Colombia.

Switzerland, missing tournament talisman Johan Manzambi, were fortunate not to fall behind in a cagey contest in Vancouver, where Colombia had the better of the chances.

Not since they hosted the tournament in 1954 had Switzerland experienced the joy of progression to the last eight, but substitute Vargas settled a shootout that saw Colombia fail twice from 12 yards, the South American side losing on penalties in the last 16 for the second time in as many tournament appearances. They suffered the same fate against England in 2018 before failing to qualify for the 2022 finals.

Switzerland face defending champions Argentina in the last eight on Saturday. Murat Yakin’s men will be the clear underdogs for that tie but, after Argentina required a remarkable late comeback to see off Egypt earlier on Tuesday, Switzerland can at least afford to harbour hope of an upset that would see them break new ground on the biggest stage.

Switzerland deny Colombia to end quarter-final wait

Gustavo Puerta went close to breaking the deadlock in spectacular fashion as his curling effort was kept out by Gregor Kobel, whose Colombia counterpart Camilo Vargas was then required to deny Fabian Rieder and Dan Ndoye with two saves in three minutes.

Chances dried up significantly in the second half of normal time, though Luis Suarez spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to give Colombia the lead as he sliced horribly wide after dispossessing Granit Xhaka.

Extra time made for a slightly more enjoyable spectacle as Colombia’s Jhon Lucumi headed against the crossbar before substitute Jaminton Campaz nearly caught Kobel off guard with a swerving long-range strike.

Zeki Amdouni then saw a close-range effort repelled by Camilo Vargas and Xhaka curled over from the edge of the area, but the best chance of extra time undoubtedly fell to Campaz, who somehow blazed high over the frame of the goal with only Kobel to beat after pouncing on a Switzerland defensive error.

That miss ultimately proved costly as, after Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez and Switzerland’s Manuel Akanj both missed, a fine Kobel save from Cucho Hernandez gave Yakin’s side a shootout advantage they did not cede, Ruben Vargas maintaining his composure to slot home and seal a tie with Lionel Messi and Co.

World Cup 2026: Switzerland team vs Colombia

Manzambi was out for Switzerland with an injury sustained in training. Ruben Vargas moved to the bench, with Ardon Jashari and Fabian Rieder coming in.

Switzerland starting XI: Gregor Kobel, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez, Denis Zakaria, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Ardon Jashari, Fabian Rieder, Breel Embolo, Dan Ndoye

Switzerland substitutes: Yvon Mvogo, Marvin Keller, Miro Muheim, Silvan Widmer, Eray Comert, Aurele Amenda, Djibril Sow, Christian Fassnacht, Ruben Vargas, Noah Okafor, Zeki Amdouni, Cedric Itten

World Cup 2026: Colombia team vs Switzerland

Luis Suarez, who set up Colombia’s winner against Ghana after coming on as a substitute, replaced Jhon Cordoba as Nestor Lorenzo made one change.

Colombia starting XI: Camilo Vargas, Daniel Munoz, Jhon Lucumi, Gustavo Puerta, Johan Mojica, Davinson Sanchez, James Rodriguez, Jhon Arias, Jefferson Lerma, Luis Diaz, Luis Suarez

Colombia substitutes: David Ospina, Alvaro Montero, Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, Wiler Ditta, Deiver Machado, Kevin Castano, Richard Rios, Jorge Carrascal, Jilan Portilla, Juan Quintero, Jhon Cordoba, Cucho Hernandez, Jaminton Campaz, Andres Gomez