Switzerland booked their place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954 after defeating Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a goalless draw in their Round of 16 clash
Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was the hero for the Swiss, making the decisive save to deny Colombia’s Cucho Hernandez in the shootout after both teams had earlier missed a penalty.
Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez struck the underside of the crossbar with his spot-kick, but Switzerland failed to capitalize immediately as Manuel Akanji fired over the bar.
Kobel then produced the crucial save before Cedric Itten and Ruben Vargas calmly converted, joining successful penalties from Granit Xhaka and Zeki Amdouni to seal a 4-3 shootout victory.
The match produced few clear-cut chances across 120 minutes, with both sides unable to find a breakthrough.
Colombia came closest in normal time when Jhon Lucumi’s header from a corner crashed against the crossbar. Substitute Jaminton Campaz later forced Kobel into a difficult save with a long-range effort in extra time.
Campaz also missed Colombia’s best chance to avoid penalties, curling his shot over the bar after a defensive mistake by Xhaka.
Switzerland will now face defending champions Argentina in the quarter-finals at Kansas City Stadium on Sunday.
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