It couldn’t be. Switzerland ended Colombia’s World Cup dream after winning 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout, to seal their qualification to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup, after a 0-0 draw in regulation time and overtime.
A shot by Swiss striker Rubén Vargas that Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas failed to save put an end to the “Cafeteros” journey through this FIFA World Cup where they finished undefeated without losing a game in the 90 minutes.
The Colombian team imposed conditions in the first half through high pressure and ball control, neutralizing a Switzerland that only found escape routes on the sides.
Despite the South American dominance, the match maintained a high intensity with dangerous approaches in both areas.
Coach Néstor Lorenzo’s pupils had more chances on goal, the clearest in the 21st minute with a shot from inside the area by Gustavo Puerta that the Swiss goalkeeper managed to save.
For their part, the Europeans shook the foundations of the Vancouver Stadium, packed with Colombians, in the 30th minute, with a shot by Fabian Rieder that required a notable reaction from goalkeeper Vargas to keep the score at zero.
The Swiss team seemed to wake up in the second half with Reider once again threatening with a set piece that almost put the Europeans ahead on the scoreboard in the early stages.
But Colombia quickly put pressure on the rival field again, with Luis Suárez who starred in a great individual action by stealing a ball from the rival’s exit. However, the center forward lacked aim in finishing in front of the goal.
The logistical factor barely made a dent in the “coffee” group. Despite facing a tight preparation time and being the only team forced to travel to the three countries of the World Cup tournament (they played in Mexico, the United States and Canada), the possible competitive disadvantages took a backseat to their performance.
Colombia insisted on the strength of Suárez after the applauded departure of veteran James Rodríguez from the grass, withstanding the pressure of the ball in the upper part of the field and generating the most dangerous opportunities for the South Americans.
Switzerland tightened the screws on the rival offense with a shot by Dan Ndoye who, just before leaving the field in the final stages, the ball lapped past the goal.
The extra time only confirmed the closeness of the match. A header in the 98th minute by defender Jhon Lucumí after a corner could have served as a lifesaver for Colombia if it had not ended up on the crossbar.
And then the attacker Jaminton Campaz emerged to take a poisonous far left foot shot that forced the agile response of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel by sending the ball to the corner kick.
And then, Swiss striker Zeki Amdouni responded with a strong shot from point-blank range that Camilo Vargas successfully saved. The score remained blank in this round of 16 duel.
The “coffee growers” began to feel tired, although they continued to put pressure on the top lines and thus had the clearest chance in the last minutes of extra time.
After a long serve from Vargas, the dynamic right back Daniel Muñoz forced a mistake by the Swiss defense and the ball was left loose in the area where Campaz entered, he controlled it with his chest but his left-footed shot went over the goalkeeper. Incredible failure.
This was the last chance that the Colombian squad had to avoid the penalty shootout that ultimately sentenced their elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
With the victory, Switzerland will face Argentina in the quarterfinals, one of the great candidates for the title and the only Conmebol team still alive in the tournament.
This is how they aligned
– Switzerland (0) (4): Gregor Kobel; Denis Zakaria (m.86, Silvan Widmer), Niko Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodríguez (m.71, Miro Muheim); Remo Freuler and Granit Xhaka; Fabian Reider (m.103, Zeki Amdouni), Ardon Jashari (min.46, Djibril Sow); Breel Embolo (m.86, Cédric Itten); Dan Ndoye (m.91, Rubén Vargas).
– Coach: Murat Yakin (Switzerland).
– Colombia (0) (3): Camilo Vargas; Daniel Muñoz, Davison Sánchez, Jhon Lucumí (d.119, Yerry Mina), Johan Mojica; Jefferson Lerma (m.82, Richard Ríos), Gustavo Puerta, Jhon Arias (m.66, Jaminton Campaz); Luis Díaz, James Rodríguez (m.66, Juan Fernando Quintero), Luis Suárez (m.82, Cucho Hernández).
– Coach: Nestor Lorenzo (Argentina).
– Penalties: 0-1: Quintero, goal. 1-1: Xhaka, goal. 1-1: Sánchez, miss. 2-1: Amdouni, goal. 2-2: Campaz, goal. 2-2: Akanji, out. 2-2: Hernández, for Kobel. 3-2: Itten, goal. 3-3: Díaz, goal. 4-3: Vargas, goal.
– Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador). He admonished Xhaka, Zakaria, and Muheim, from Switzerland; to Suárez and Sánchez, from Colombia.
– Incidents: Round of 16 match of the 2026 World Cup played at the BC Place stadium in Vancouver in front of some 52,497 spectators (full).
(With a report from Mikaela Viqueira, from EFE)
