Switzerland vs Colombia 2026

Switzerland edge past Colombia on penalties to reach the quarterfinals

Switzerland booked their place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, edging Colombia 4 3 on penalties after a tense round of 16 tie finished goalless through 120 minutes for Switzerland. Neither side could find a breakthrough in normal time, with both defenses standing firm against everything the other attack tried to produce. Extra time followed a similar pattern, and the tie moved inevitably toward the drama of a shootout.

Granit Xhaka opened the shootout with a composed finish, and Juan Quintero replied in kind for Colombia. Zeki Amdouni then made it two from two for the Swiss, only for Davinson Sanchez to see his effort saved, tilting the contest in Switzerland's favor. Manuel Akanji missed to hand Colombia a route back into it, but Cristian Campaz could only level the shootout rather than move Colombia ahead. Cedric Itten restored the advantage, Carlos Hernandez failed to convert under the weight of the moment, and Rony Martinez sent Switzerland through with the decisive kick. Luis Diaz's late finish for Colombia arrived only as consolation.

The result sends Switzerland into the quarterfinals of an expanded 48 team World Cup, a format whose extra rounds have already produced plenty of knockout drama. For Colombia, elimination on penalties closes a round of 16 campaign that never quite found the cutting edge to match its resistance.