Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout in Vancouver on Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time since 1954.
Colombia faltered when Davinson Sánchez smashed his spot-kick against the bar and Cucho Hernández had his effort saved by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel before Rubén Vargas scored to book a quarterfinal date with holders Argentina.
The two sides were tied 0-0 after extra time.
It is the first time Switzerland have won multiple knockout games in the same World Cup, and their first time in the last eight since they hosted the tournament 72 years ago.
Colombia were looking to advance to the quarterfinals for the second time and first since 2014 when they fell to hosts Brazil. They have now been eliminated on penalties in two of the last three World Cups, after falling to England in the round of 16 in 2018. They failed to qualify for the last tournament in Qatar four years ago.
Colombia came closest to winning the game in extra time. Jhon Lucumí sent a header against the crossbar before Jáminton Campaz shot over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat following a defensive miscue from Granit Xhaka.
Switzerland were missing World Cup breakout star Johan Manzambi because of injury suffered in training on Monday. The 20-year-old midfielder scored three goals and added two assists in Switzerland’s first four World Cup matches.
Argentina now awaits in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday after the defending champions fought back to beat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic finale earlier on Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
