Ruben Vargas sends Switzerland to
the World Cup quarterfinals with shootout win over Colombia
[July 08, 2026]
By ANNE M. PETERSON
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — In a match with few fireworks,
the Swiss were patient against the Colombians and their enthusiastic
fans.
After a scoreless draw, Ruben Vargas converted the decisive penalty
and Switzerland advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals, beating
Colombia 4-3 in a shootout on Tuesday.
Switzerland will face defending champion Argentina on Saturday at
Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Argentina defeated Egypt
3-2 earlier in the day.
Switzerland had not reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup since
hosting the tournament in 1954. And the Swiss were short-handed
Tuesday without young midfielder Johan Manzambi, who was injured in
training on Monday.
Vargas, who has scored two goals in the World Cup, also left
Monday’s training early but came on in stoppage time at the end of
regulation.
In the shootout, Colombia defender Davinson Sánchez's penalty
attempt hit the crossbar and Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel
saved an attempt by Cucho Hernández.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, a Swiss citizen, was among those at
BC Place, where the sellout crowd of 52,497 was overwhelmingly clad
in yellow in support of Colombia.
“They had the crowd on their side, so it was a tough game for us,”
Kobel said. “We know we had some stretches of the game where we had
to defend and stay strong mentally. Obviously we had a few players
missing so, yeah, it was a big challenge for us.”
Colombia failed to qualify for the last World Cup in 2022. Los
Cafeteros made the quarterfinals at the 2014 tournament in Brazil,
defeating Uruguay in the round of 16 before losing to the host
country 2-1.
“The dream was enormous,” Colombia midfielder Jhon Arias said. “The
country showed us that it believed in us, that it lived every moment
with us, and I think that only makes the pain even greater.”
The Swiss reached the round of 16 at the past three World Cups but
failed to advance with a smaller field of 32 teams.
“We worked very hard, and now we have this opportunity,” Switzerland
coach Murat Yakin said. “This is going to be a very interesting
matchup from our point of view. We will try to compete against the
reigning champions and it’s going to be amazing. Switzerland against
Argentina in a quarterfinal. I am so excited. I think that I need
maybe a couple of hours more or another day to process what just
happened, and then tomorrow we will start focusing on Argentina.”
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Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel (1) blocks a penalty shot by
Colombia's Cucho Hernandez in a shootout during the World Cup round
of 16 soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Tuesday, July 7,
2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The match was tightly contested by two teams with
contrasting styles, the Swiss with a more organized and methodical
approach and Colombia more attack-oriented and physical. Switzerland
had a slight edge in possession.
Manzambi, a 20-year-old midfielder who plays for German club
Freiburg, has three goals in the World Cup, becoming one of the
tournament’s breakout stars. The Swiss were also without Luca Jaquez
and midfielder Michel Aebischer.
Gustavo Puerta had the first good chance for Colombia with a shot
from distance in the 21st minute that was pushed away by Kobel.
The Swiss got one of their best opportunities in the 30th with
Fabian Rieder’s blast at goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, who punched the
ball down. Minutes later, Vargas smothered another attempt from Dan
Ndoye.
The Swiss had a free kick in the 52nd minute, but Rieder’s attempt
curled around the wall and went into the side netting.
In the first extra time period, Jhon Lucumi’s header hit the
crossbar and caromed away as Colombia put pressure on Kobel.
“I don’t think you can overstate what a huge success this is — for
us, for this team, for Switzerland, for such a small country. To be
among the top eight teams in the world is incredible,” Kobel said.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. I’m incredibly proud.”
Colombia and Switzerland also met in the group stage at the 1994
World Cup in the United States, with Los Cafeteros winning 2-0.
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