Switzerland Eliminates Colombia, Final Match Stats, Highlights & Updated World Cup 2026 Bracket

Switzerland set up a quarterfinal with Lionel Messi's Argentina on Tuesday, coming through a tough 4-3 penalty shootout win against Colombia after a scoreless 120 minutes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ruben Vargas scored the winning penalty after a blood-and-guts match where very few chances were created by either side.

Match Stats

	Shots	Shots on Target	Possession
Switzerland	7	2	53%
Colombia	15	3	47%

A tight first half was summarised by the incredible stat of just nine combined attacking touches being had in the opposition's box, and both teams equally splitting possession.

Colombia were the more consistently threatening, and forced Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel forced into a decent save as things got going.

The Europeans looked cutting on the break, and showed they did have the potential to cause issues, despite missing key attacker Johan Manzambi.

Switzerland started the second half with a huge chance after good work from Dan Ndoye, but substitute Djibril Sow slipped and sent his effort wide. Ndoye then caused havoc a few seconds later, but went down too easily in the penalty area after a slight tug from Daniel Munoz.

The second half progressed much like the first, with a feistiness and committment, but a lack of attacking quality. Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas and Swiss striker Breel Embolo's scary collision provided a great snapshot of two teams that were determined not to give an inch.

Ndoye had another chance just before exiting the field for Ruben Vargas, whose injury issues relegated him to the bench for the majority of the match.

Extra time seemed inevitable from the early moments of the game. And so it proved, as both teams failed to do enough to make the breakthrough in 90 minutes.

Colombia defender Jhon Lucumi had the first major chance of the extra period, clattering his header off the bar after finding himself free in the box from a corner.

Kobel was then called into action after a ferocious shot from Jaminton Campaz nearly caught him out.

Swiss sub Zeki Amdouni was close to making an instant impact, but Vargas reacted well and kept his team safe in a dangerous moment.

Campaz was then presented with a must-score chance after poor defending from Granit Xhaka. His curled effort didn't even trouble the goalkeeper with five minutes left on the clock.

After a scoreless 120 minutes, the lottery of penalties showed itself once more in this tournament to decide the victor.

The experienced Juan Quintero stepped up first, successfully blasting his penalty down the middle for Colombia. Xhaka responded by just squeezing his attempt beyond Vargas.

Davinson Sanchez, who missed a penalty for his nation at Copa America, then smashed his effort off the bar for the first failure. Amdouni cooly gave Switzerland the lead.

Campaz managed to squeeze his penalty under Kobel, who really should have saved it after diving the right way. Manuel Akanji became the second central defender to miss seconds later, making it 2-2 after three each.

Kobel immediately rescued his teammate with a brilliant save from Cucho Hernandez's effort. Cedric Itten made no mistake to put Switzerland on the brink of victory.

Luis Diaz scored Colombia's fifth to keep them in the tie, making it namesakes Vargas against each other to decide it. Switzerland's Ruben stood tallest, scoring his penalty to win the game.

Switzerland will now face Argentina in the quarterfinals after the defending champions came back from 2-0 down to stun Egypt 3-2 earlier in the day.

Messi grabbed a goal and assist after missing a penalty in a poor showing for the defending champions, who will have their work cut out against a resilient Switzerland side.