Vargas sends Switzerland into last 8 in shootout win over Colombia

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — In a match with few fireworks, the Swiss were patient against the Colombians and their enthusiastic fans.

After Tuesday's game ended in a scoreless draw after extra time, Ruben Vargas converted the decisive penalty to help Switzerland advance to the World Cup quarterfinals, beating Colombia 4-3 on penalties.

Switzerland will face defending champion Argentina on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, after Lionel Messi's side defeated Egypt 3-2 earlier in the day.

Switzerland had not reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup since hosting the tournament in 1954. And the Swiss were short-handed Tuesday, without young midfielder Johan Manzambi, who was injured in training on Monday.

Manzambi, a 20-year-old midfielder who plays for German club Freiburg, has three goals so far at the World Cup, becoming one of the tournament's breakout stars. The Swiss were also without Luca Jaquez and midfielder Michel Aebischer.

Vargas, who has scored two goals so far at this World Cup, also left Monday's training early, but came on in second-half stoppage time.

In the shootout, Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez's penalty attempt hit the crossbar and Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved an attempt by Cucho Hernandez.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino was among those at BC Place, where the sellout crowd of 52,497 was overwhelmingly clad in yellow in support of Colombia.

"They had the crowd on their side, so it was a tough game for us," Kobel said. "We know we had some stretches of the game where we had to defend and stay strong mentally. Obviously, we had a few players missing so, yeah, it was a big challenge for us."

Colombia failed to qualify for the last World Cup in 2022. Los Cafeteros made the quarterfinals at the 2014 tournament in Brazil, defeating Uruguay in the round of 16, before losing 2-1 to the host.

"The dream was enormous," Colombia midfielder Jhon Arias said. "The country showed us that it believed in us, that it lived every moment with us, and I think that only makes the pain even greater."

The Swiss reached the round of 16 at the past three World Cups, but failed to advance with a smaller field of 32 teams.

"We worked very hard, and now we have this opportunity," Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said.

"This is going to be a very interesting matchup from our point of view. We will try to compete against the reigning champions, and it's going to be amazing. Switzerland against Argentina in a quarterfinal.

"I am so excited. I think that I need maybe a couple of hours more, or another day, to process what just happened, and then, tomorrow, we will start focusing on Argentina."

The match was tightly contested by two teams with contrasting styles, the Swiss with a more organized and methodical approach, and Colombia more attack-oriented and physical. Switzerland had a slight edge in possession.

Gustavo Puerta had the first good chance for Colombia, with a shot from distance in the 21st minute that was pushed away by Kobel.

The Swiss got one of their best opportunities in the 30th, with Fabian Rieder's blast at Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, who punched the ball down. Minutes later, the stopper smothered another attempt from Dan Ndoye.

The Swiss had a freekick in the 52nd minute, but Rieder's attempt curled around the wall and went into the side netting.

In the first period of extra time, Jhon Lucumi's header hit the crossbar and caromed away, as Colombia put pressure on Kobel.

"I don't think you can overstate what a huge success this is — for us, for this team, for Switzerland, for such a small country. To be among the top-eight teams in the world is incredible," Kobel said.

"It's an unbelievable feeling. I'm incredibly proud."

Colombia and Switzerland also met in the group stage at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, with Los Cafeteros winning 2-0.

AP