Switzerland are through to the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals after a 0-0 draw across 120 minutes at BC Place in Vancouver forced a penalty shootout that the Swiss won 4-3. Colombia’s Davinson Sánchez and Cucho Hernández both failed to convert, while Xhaka, Amdouni, Itten, and Vargas all held their nerve for Murat Yakin’s side. It was a match almost entirely devoid of attacking intent, with Switzerland managing just two shots on target and Colombia generating an xG of only 0.25 across the full 120 minutes.
Key Moments
- 51′, Granit Xhaka picked up a yellow card for tripping, a booking that would later cast a small shadow over Switzerland’s shootout preparation given his involvement as their first penalty taker.
- 59′, Denis Zakaria also collected a yellow card for tripping, and was subsequently substituted off at the 87th minute. [FIX: entrants 87–90’ manquants — dont Rubén Vargas en stoppage time — à compléter]
- 66′, Colombia made a double change, withdrawing James Rodríguez and Jhon Arias in an attempt to inject more energy into a game stalled for the opening hour. [FIX: entrants 66’ non nommés — Jaminton Campaz confirmé via ESPN, second entrant à vérifier]
- 112′, Jhon Lucumí headed against the crossbar from close range — Colombia’s clearest chance of the tie. Minutes later, Jaminton Campaz fired over the bar with only Kobel to beat after a defensive error from Xhaka, another moment Colombia will rue.
- 119′, With extra time nearly over, Colombia made a final defensive change, bringing on Jhon Lucumí as the match headed toward penalties.
- 120′, Penalty shootout: Xhaka and Amdouni scored for Switzerland; Quintero and Campaz converted for Colombia. Davinson Sánchez smashed his effort against the bar, Cucho Hernández was saved by Kobel, while Akanji’s miss for Switzerland kept it level momentarily. Itten and Vargas finished it off for the Swiss, 4–3.
Tactical Breakdown
Switzerland set up in a 4-2-3-1 and were content to sit narrow and absorb Colombia’s pressure for long stretches. The numbers bear that out: just two total shots, both inside the box, and an xG of 0.06 over 120 minutes. Their passing accuracy was high at 88% from 248 attempts, reflecting a team focused on recycling possession safely rather than building toward goal. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was called on for just two saves, both proving critical. It is worth noting Switzerland played without Johan Manzambi, their 20-year-old breakout star who had scored three goals and added two assists across the group stage and round of 32 but was ruled out with a training injury sustained on Monday.
Colombia had the better of the statistical picture, holding 51% possession, generating five shots, and recording four corner kicks to Switzerland’s one. Their xG of 0.25 sounds modest but was four times that of the Swiss. The double substitution at the 66th minute, removing Rodríguez and Arias, was Néstor Lorenzo’s attempt to change the rhythm, but neither side could find the decisive moment in open play or in extra time. Switzerland’s triple wave of substitutions between the 87th and 90th minutes, including the withdrawal of Zakaria, showed Yakin managing the tactical risks into the shootout.
What ultimately cost Colombia was their execution from 12 yards. Davinson Sánchez, booked at the 95th minute, smashed his penalty against the bar, and Cucho Hernández followed with a miss to hand Switzerland the advantage they needed. Switzerland’s only miss came from Akanji, but by then enough had already been converted to make it irrelevant.
Player Ratings
World Cup knockout bracket
Knockout results, aggregate scores across legs; winners in bold, penalty shootouts noted.
Head to Head
Verdict
What awaits Switzerland is Argentina in Kansas City — the defending champions, with Lionel Messi having just completed a comeback from 2-0 down against Egypt earlier the same night. This result already makes history: Switzerland’s first quarterfinal appearance since hosting the tournament in 1954, and the first time they have won consecutive knockout matches at a World Cup. Whether Yakin’s side can push past the weight of that test is a different question entirely. For now, the nerves held. [FIX: citation Yakin post-match à ajouter]