Switzerland reached the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals for the first time since 1954 after defeating Colombia 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw in their Round of 16 clash.
Both sides battled through 120 minutes without finding the breakthrough in a tightly contested encounter that produced few clear-cut scoring opportunities.
Colombia came closest to breaking the deadlock during regulation time, but their best effort crashed against the crossbar, allowing Switzerland to survive.
The opening 15 minutes of extra time produced more goalmouth action than the entire 90 minutes, with both teams creating promising chances but failing to convert.
Neither side could find the decisive goal before the final whistle, sending the contest to a penalty shootout.
Switzerland held their nerve from the spot, prevailing 4-3 to book a place in the last eight and end Colombia’s impressive World Cup campaign.
The match was the only Round of 16 fixture to be decided by penalties and just the third shootout of the tournament, following Germany’s Round of 32 defeat to Paraguay, in which the South Americans eliminated one of the pre-tournament favourites.
