VANCOUVER, Canada: Switzerland reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in 72 years with a 4-3 victory on penalties over Colombia on Tuesday in the concluding round-of-16 match.
Ruben Vargas converted the deciding spot-kick after team-mate, Manuel Akanji, missed for the third time in a shoot-out, but Colombia had Davinson Sánchez hit the underside of the bar and Cucho Hernandez’s effort saved by Gregor Kobel.
Captain Granit Xhaka, Zeki Amdouni and Cedric Itten converted the other penalties for the Swiss to reach the last eight for the first time since the 1954 home tournament, according to dpa.
There they will face Lionel Messi’s defending champions Argentina who rallied from 2-0 down after 78 minutes to beat Egypt 3-2.
The match was goalless after 120 minutes, with chances sparse in a duel mainly fought out in midfield before Colombia had the better ones, both in extra-time.
Jhon Lucumí headed against the crossbar and Jaminton Campaz incredibly blazed over with only Kobel to beat.
Colombia conceded only one goal in their five matches, in the first game against Uzbekistan, but fell short of reaching the last eight like they had in 2014. – BERNAMA-dpa
