Switzerland 0-0 Colombia (4-3 on penalties): Sides cancel each other out but Swiss goalkeeper seals quarter-final spot

In a contention of akin approaches and precise fewer antiaircraft concessions, Switzerland and Colombia produced 1 of the astir evenly matched last-16 ties of the World Cup. At BC Place successful Vancouver, neither broadside managed to enforce themselves implicit 120 minutes. Aggressive marking, compact antiaircraft organisation and excessive caution successful modulation gave the respective attacks astir nary country to breathe.

After a goalless stalemate successful mean clip and other time, the necktie went to penalties. And arsenic often happens successful games of this nature, a goalkeeper stole the night. Gregor Kobel saved Cucho Hernandez's effort, benefited from Davinson Sanchez missing different and guided Switzerland to a 4-3 shootout victory.

The triumph keeps live a historical run for the European side, who instrumentality to the quarter-finals of a World Cup for the archetypal clip successful implicit 7 decades. For Colombia, the feeling volition beryllium 1 of regret astatine a deficiency of daring successful a lucifer wherever some teams spent excessively agelong trying not to lose.

Switzerland vs Colombia: How the lucifer unfolded

The archetypal fractional was defined by caution successful possession and a conflict for power done the centre of the pitch. With akin profiles, the 2 sides efficaciously cancelled each different retired connected the BC Place aboveground — 1 pushing the tempo for a spell, the different past attempting to instrumentality the inaugural successful turn.

Switzerland wins connected penalties to unafraid a spot successful the quarter-finals! ?#FIFAWorldCup

Balance prevailed successful an opening play that was tactically disciplined, reasonably good played and astir wholly devoid of wide chances. The 2 occasions that genuinely threatened were a fierce effort from Gustavo Puerta — saved by Kobel — and a driven cross-shot from Fabian Rieds — tipped distant by Camilo Vargas.

That equilibrium held successful the 2nd half, though the lucifer became progressively little fluent and much laboured. Slowness successful circulation, method errors, a choppy tempo and much perspiration than inspiration: goalless and other clip beckoning.

In the further period, fatigue acceptable successful for some sides, the crippled opened up marginally and chances began to look — though thing capable to alteration the scoreline.

Switzerland vs Colombia: The punishment shootout saves a necktie that disappointed connected the method front

If the 120 minutes near thing to beryllium desired, the shootout delivered the play that had been absent passim the evening. The spot-kick contention turned retired to beryllium the astir memorable infinitesimal of a necktie that had promised considerably much than it produced.

Kobel emerged erstwhile his broadside needed him most. The Swiss goalkeeper saved Cucho Hernandez's punishment and carried the assurance of his team-mates each the mode to qualification. Davinson Sanchez besides missed for Colombia, portion Manuel Akanji was the lone Swiss subordinate to neglect to convert.

In truth, the representation had been much promising earlier. The archetypal fractional had suggested a lucifer of tenable method quality, with 2 organised sides pressing intelligently and circulating the shot with immoderate care. After the break, however, the prime deteriorated.

We're going to other clip successful Vancouver! ⏱️#FIFAWorldCup

Technical errors accumulated, shot circulation slowed and fouls interrupted the bushed of the crippled with expanding frequency. Switzerland and Colombia were, not coincidentally, progressive successful the second-most foul-laden lucifer of this World Cup with 43 infractions — down lone Haiti versus Scotland, which produced 44.

Switzerland privation to support penning past and present look Argentina

Qualification marks a important milestone for the Swiss side. The past clip Switzerland reached the World Cup quarter-finals was successful 1954 — the aforesaid twelvemonth they hosted the tournament. In the 7 decades since, they person accumulated aboriginal exits without ever managing to interruption done that obstruction again.

The accidental to constitute a caller section present comes against the reigning satellite champions. Their adjacent opponents are Argentina, who earlier needed a sizeable effort to crook astir a 2-0 shortage and bushed Egypt 3-2 successful a necktie that went to the precise last moments.

In theory, the Albiceleste get arsenic favourites done idiosyncratic talent, big-game acquisition and the signifier of Lionel Messi. Even so, Switzerland person shown crossed this tourney that they cognize however to vie astatine the highest level.

Defensive organisation, tactical subject and the capableness to sorb unit stay the Swiss side's main qualities. If they tin replicate their solidity without the shot against Colombia and find a small much creativity successful attack, the European broadside volition person the arguments to crook the inevitable value of favouritism against their opponents erstwhile again.