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One of the biggest surprises of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was produced Swiss after defeating Colombia 4-3 in penalties After 120 minutes without goals.
Goalie Gregorio Kobel The hero emerged who sent the Swiss to their first quarterfinals of the World Cup in 72 years.
Victory at BC Place in Vancouver ended Switzerland’s long misery in the penalty shootout and booked a blockbuster round of 16 clash against the defending champions. Argentina and Lionel Messi in Kansas City.
Kobel bran cucho hernandezwinning penalty after both teams had previously missed from the spot, allowing Ruben Vargas to calmly convert the winning shot and spark wild celebrations among the Swiss players and fans.
Kobel the hero as Switzerland finally ends penalty ‘curse’
After neither side could break the deadlock 90 minutes and extra timeThe match was decided from penalty spot.
Switzerland seemed to be in trouble after the defender Manuel Akanji He launched his penalty high over the crossbar shortly after Colombia Davinson Sanchez had hit the bottom of the bar.
However, Kobel produced the decisive moment of the evening, launching to deny hernandez before Cedric Itten and Vargas he converted his penalties later Granite Xhaka and Zeki Amdouni He had also scored.
Triumph secured 4-3 in the penalty shootout Switzerland’s first victory in the penalty shootout at a World Cup after losing their only previous against Ukraine in 2006.
It also ended a miserable run in which the Swiss had won only one of their previous six penalty shoot-outs in all competitions.
Yakin, delighted after the historic break of voodoo in Switzerland
Switzerland coach, Murat Yakin He admitted the win was emotional after seeing his players finally overcome their penalty demons.
“You’re kind of in the flow and you don’t really know what to take in,” Yakin told Swiss broadcaster SRF after the match.
“It took an incredible fight. Also cunning and patience. And then, in the penalty shootout at the end, we finally broke the curse.”
“I’m incredibly happy for everyone: the players, the staff and the fans at home.”
“Just incredible emotions. The feeling during the decisive penalty is fantastic, indescribable.”
“High praise also for Kobel; he is playing a fantastic tournament.”
“No one wants to hear my game plan, but that’s exactly how it worked.”
How Switzerland shocked Colombia
Although the match lacked clear-cut opportunities for long periods, Switzerland showed remarkable defensive discipline to frustrate one of the tournament’s strongest offensive teams.
Colombia came closest during regulation time when Jhon Lucumi He headed the crossbar after a corner kick.
Substitute Jaminton Campaz then forced Kobel in a clumsy save with a powerful long-range shot in extra time before wasting the best opportunity of the game.
After a defensive error by the Swiss captain, Granite Xhaka, Campaz He found himself with an excellent opportunity late in extra time, but his shot missed the crossbar.
That ruling proved costly as Colombia was punished in the penalty shootout.
Colombia pays the price of waste
Colombia entered the round of 16 after leading his group before Portugal before deleting Ghana in it round of 32.
They had only granted a goal throughout the tournament, but struggled to find a breakthrough against Switzerland.
Liverpool star luis diaz and veteran playmaker James Rodriguez, who became Colombia’s all-time appearance holder with his 131st international matchHe tried to create space but lacked a clinical finisher.
Despite registering 94 shots Throughout the tournament, Colombia finished with just five goalsand his inability to take advantage of opportunities ultimately ended his World Cup dream.
The defeat also brought back painful memories of their defeat in the penalty shootout England in it round of 16 to the World Cup 2018.
Akanji admits horror error in penalty
Swiss defender Manuel Akanji did not hide his disappointment after taking his penalty over the crossbar.
“I told Muri that that was the last penalty I would take” Akanji said.
“It was disastrous. I changed my mind at the last minute.”
“The oldest rule says you shouldn’t change your mind. I tried, then I slipped a little and the ball went four meters over the goal.”
“I’m incredibly proud of how the team reacted.”
“We didn’t play very well, especially offensively. We lacked a lot, but we were compact as a team.”
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Injuries hamper Swiss attack
Switzerland reached the quarterfinals despite losing one of the tournament’s rising stars.
Johan Manzambithat has marked three goals and provided two assists At the World Cup, he was unavailable due to injury, leaving Yakin’s team without one of their biggest attacking threats.
Ruben Vargaswho had also been struggling with his fitness after scoring twice earlier in the tournament, started on the bench but he had a decisive impact by converting the winning penalty.
The Swiss now hope that both players will recover in time for the showdown against Argentina.
Xhaka foresees another big surprise against Messi
Captain Granit Xhaka believes Switzerland can dream even bigger after ending their long wait for the World Cup quarter-finals.
“That’s a great reward.” Xhaka said.
“Goal number 1 has been achieved, but when you are in the quarterfinals, the hunger is even greater than before.”
“Now comes the great challenge with one of the best players.”
Historic achievement for Switzerland
The victory marked another milestone for Swiss football.
Switzerland now has:
- He reached his First World Cup quarter-final since 1954.
- He won his First penalty shootout in a World Cup.
- He reached the quarterfinals in three of their last four major tournaments.
- Cattle two qualifying matches in the same FIFA World Cup for the first time after defeating Algeria in the round of 32.
The quarterfinal clash awaits you
Switzerland’s reward is a daunting encounter against the defending champions Argentina, that completed a remarkable comeback from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2.
With Lionel Messi producing another game-winning performance to keep Argentina’s title defense alive, Switzerland now faces arguably its toughest challenge yet as it attempts to prevent the reigning world champions from reaching another World Cup semi-final.
