Ruben Vargas converted the decisive spot kick as Switzerland advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday ( Canadian local time) by beating Colombia 4-3 on penalties, reported Xinhua.
With the scores locked at 0-0 after 120 minutes, Davinson Sanchez and Cucho Hernandez missed their attempts in the shootout before Vargas sent Camilo Vargas the wrong way with his side's fifth penalty.
Switzerland will face Argentina in Kansas City on July 11 in the European team's first World Cup quarterfinal since 1954.
The result ended Colombia's unbeaten run in this tournament and dashed its hopes of reaching the last eight for only the second time in its history.
Colombia created the first clear opening in the 22nd minute when Gustavo Puerta curled a shot toward the far corner that goalkeeper Gregor Kobel clawed away.
Switzerland responded with its most positive spell of the half, forcing Camilo Vargas into successive saves. The Colombia goalkeeper reacted sharply to deny Fabian Rieder from close range before Dan Ndoye again tested him from the left side of the box.
James Rodriguez then slipped a precise pass toward Daniel Munoz, but the recovering defense crowded out the fullback.
Rodriguez was involved in most of Colombia's best attacking moves and his pass to Luis Suarez almost unlocked Switzerland's defense, only for the striker's shot to be blocked.
The second half offered fewer chances than the first. Rieder came closest for Switzerland when his free kick curled into the side-netting, while Luis Diaz drew a save from Kobel with a long-range strike.
Switzerland appealed unsuccessfully for two penalties in the closing minutes, but the best opportunity fell to Colombia substitute Jaminton Campaz, who blazed over the bar when he only had the goalkeeper to beat.
The South American side carved out the better openings in extra time. Campaz forced Kobel into a save from distance before Jhon Lucumi headed Juan Quintero's corner against the crossbar. Kobel then punched away another dangerous delivery from Quintero as the contest went to a penalty shootout.
- Switzerland
- Colombia
- WC
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
