Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Switzerland vs Colombia ended with a historic penalty shootout win, as Ruben Vargas converted the decisive kick to send Switzerland into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years.

The Round of 16 tie finished 0-0 after 120 minutes before Switzerland won 4-3 on penalties, with Gregor Kobel saving from Cucho Hernández and Davinson Sanchez hitting the crossbar.

The result came during a tense World Cup week, after Kylian Mbappe’s racist attack row escalated as Celeste Amarilla threatened legal action.

Vargas Holds Nerve For Swiss

Manuel Akanji was the only Swiss player to miss in the shootout, but Colombia could not take advantage.

Sanchez struck the bar and Kobel then denied Hernández, leaving Vargas with the chance to end Switzerland’s long wait for a quarter-final place.

The winger made no mistake with Switzerland’s fifth penalty, sealing a famous win and setting up a Saturday quarter-final against Argentina.

For a side often built on structure, patience and defensive shape, this was a win that matched Switzerland’s identity.

Colombia Waste Their Big Chance

The match itself was tight, cautious and short on clear openings for much of normal time.

Both teams combined for five shots on target from 22 total efforts across 120 minutes, with Colombia struggling to turn possession into real pressure.

The best chance came in extra time after Granit Xhaka gave the ball away deep in his own half.

Jaminton Campaz raced through for a one-on-one with Kobel, but lifted his shot over the crossbar in a moment Colombia will regret for years.

Colombia had entered the knockout stage with strong form after winning Group K ahead of Portugal and beating Ghana in the Round of 32.

But their final-third play let them down badly against a Swiss side that stayed calm when the match moved to penalties.

Argentina Test Awaits

Switzerland now face Argentina after the defending champions came from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta.

It will be Switzerland’s first World Cup quarter-final since 1954, when they lost 7-5 to Austria.

The quarter-finals begin with France against Morocco, followed by Spain against Belgium, Norway against England, and Argentina against Switzerland.

Official tournament updates are available through FIFA.