Argentina will be the last bastion of South America in the 2026 World Cup. After drawing 0-0 in a match with few emotions, Switzerland won 4-3 on penalties against Colombia and will be the opponent in the quarter-finals for the National Team, the only team that remains alive in the tournament.
The match would start off extremely tight, with no clear protagonist. Within this monotony, the first to take a chance would be the South American team with a shot from Gustavo Puerta saved at 20 by Gregor Kobel.
Several minutes after the first cooling break, the Europeans would respond with a shot from Fabian Rieder neutralized by Camilo Vargas and a shot from Dan Ndoye shortly after that would be contained by the Colombian goalkeeper.
In the second half, the trend of the match would be similar to that shown in the first half, with few goal chances for both and no protagonist controlling the actions, although with one addition: the constant fouls that interrupted the game.
Beyond a few approaches from each side and a greater possession of the ball in favor of the Swiss towards the end, the minutes would pass without much to note for either team and the duel would go to extra time.
After more than an hour in which they did not significantly trouble Kobel, Colombia would finally get close to 1-0. First at 98, with a header from Jhon Lucumí after a corner from the substituted Juan Fernando Quintero that the Rossocrociati goalkeeper would save with a providential punch, and later a long-range attempt from the also substituted Jámilton Campaz, which the goalkeeper would clear with his forearm.
In the second extra time, the coffee growers would again be on the verge of taking the lead: at 115, Campaz would receive a fortunate rebound left by Granit Xhaka, but could not finish under the crossbar. With no more moments to highlight, the last ticket to the quarter-finals would be decided from the penalty spot.
The penalty shootout
1 | Colombia | 1-0 | Juan Fernando Quintero kicked hard down the middle and Kobel dove to the right
1 | Switzerland | 1-1 | Granit Xhaka shot high to the left and Vargas guessed right, but could not save
