FIFA World Cup 2026 as it happened: Switzerland beats Colombia 0-0 (4-3) on penalties; Messi leads Argentina to 3-2 win over Egypt as round of 16 continues
by Roy Ward · WAtodayPinned post from 7.31am
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Ruben Vargas sends Switzerland to quarter-final with Argentina
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Vancouver: Ruben Vargas converted his penalty and Switzerland advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals with a 4-3 shootout win over Colombia after a scoreless draw on Wednesday morning AEST.
Switzerland will next face defending champion Argentina on Sunday at 11am AEST at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2 earlier in the day.
Switzerland had not reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup since hosting the tournament in 1954. And the Swiss were shorthanded without young midfielder Johan Manzambi, who was injured in training on Tuesday AEST.
Vargas, who has scored two goals in the World Cup, also left training early but was available off the bench and came on in stoppage time at the end of regulation.
Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez’s penalty attempt hit the crossbar and Switzerland goalkeeper Grego Kobel saved an attempt by Cucho Hernandez, giving the Swiss the edge in the shootout.
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino was among those at BC Place, where the sellout crowd was overwhelmingly clad in yellow in support of Colombia.
Colombia failed to qualify for the last World Cup in 2022. The team made the quarterfinals at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, defeating Uruguay in the round of 16 before losing to the host country 2-1.
The Swiss reached the round of 16 at the past three World Cups but failed to advance with a smaller field of 32 teams.
The match was tightly contested by two teams with contrasting styles, the Swiss with a more organized approach and Colombia more attack oriented.
Switzerland had a slight edge in possession but both teams had very few shots on goal.