Switzerland edge Colombia on penalties to reach World Cup last eight

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP):

Switzerland are into the World Cup quarterfinals after Ruben Vargas buried his spot kick in a 4-3 penalty shoot-out triumph over Colombia, following a goalless contest yesterday.

The Swiss will meet defending champions Argentina on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Argentina had earlier seen off Egypt 3-2.

It is Switzerland’s first appearance in the last eight since the country staged the finals in 1954. They went into yesterday’s tie without young midfielder Johan Manzambi, who picked up an injury in Monday’s training session.

Vargas, already on two goals at this World Cup, had also cut short Monday’s session but was fit enough to be named among the substitutes and entered the fray in stoppage time at the close of regular play.

Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez struck the crossbar from the spot, while Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel denied Cucho Hernández.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was in attendance at BC Place, where a capacity crowd turned out largely in yellow to back Colombia.

Colombia missed out on the 2022 finals altogether. Their most recent deep run came at Brazil 2014, when they beat Uruguay in the round of 16 before falling 2-1 to the hosts in the quarterfinals.

Switzerland had reached the last 16 at each of the previous three World Cups but could not progress further under the old 32-team format.

The encounter was closely fought between sides with different approaches — Switzerland more structured, Colombia more intent on attacking — with the Swiss holding a narrow advantage in possession.

Manzambi, a 20-year-old midfielder with German club Freiburg, had scored three times at the tournament and emerged as one of its standout performers. Switzerland were also missing Luca Jaquez and midfielder Michel Aebischer.

Gustavo Puerta produced Colombia’s first clear opening, firing from range in the 21st minute only for Kobel to turn the effort aside.

Switzerland’s best moment of the half arrived in the 30th minute when Fabian Reider drove a fierce shot at Camilo Vargas, who punched the ball clear. Shortly afterwards, Vargas gathered another effort from Dan Ndoye.

A Swiss free kick in the 52nd minute saw Reider bend the ball past the wall and into the side netting.

During the first period of extra time, Jhon Lucumi headed against the crossbar as Colombia pressed Kobel, the ball bouncing away to safety.

The two nations had previously crossed paths in the group stage of the 1994 World Cup in the United States, when Colombia prevailed 2-0.