Switzerland held their nerve to edge a tight and cagey contest with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out success over unfortunate Colombia and seal a quarter-final meeting with World Cup holders Argentina on Saturday.
Ruben Vargas shook off his pre-game injury doubts to deliver the decisive spot-kick after a painful 120 minutes of goalless knockout football, where neither side managed to impose themselves, needing the cruelty of a shoot-out to finally separate them.
The extra-time period at least offered slightly more excitement, with Jhon Lucum crashing a header against the crossbar and Jaminton Campaz fluffing the best opening of the match, which was probably justly decided by the lottery of kicks from 12 yards.
Colombia’s Gustavo Puerta and Switzerland’s Remo Freuler battle for the ball
Colombia’s Davinson Sanchez was the first to miss his penalty but was reprieved by Manuel Akanji skiing his attempt over the crossbar. Cucho Hernandez was then denied by a brilliant save from Gregor Kobel, allowing Vargas to latterly seal the deal.
The outcome felt harsh on a Colombian side whose gameplan was far more adventurous and expansive than their more conservative European counterparts in front of a partisan crowd in Canada, but they ultimately lacked a finisher, and paid a brutal price.
Swiss persistence prevailed in the end – their first ever World Cup shoot-out success – to seal a first quarter-final appearance since hosting the tournament all the way back in 1954. Colombian tears flowed. Their vast promise never got its proper reward.
Leave a Reply