VANCOUVER.- Switzerland ended Colombia’s dream, eliminated it on penalties 4-3 on Tuesday in Vancouver in the round of 16 and will play against Argentina for a place in the 2026 World Cup semifinals.
The failures from eleven meters by Davinson Sánchez and Cucho Hernández condemned a Colombia that left Argentina as the only representative of South American football in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
During regulation time it was a tactical and even duel in midfield, where no one wanted to make a mistake. Switzerland imposed intelligence, a good manual and physical capacity, against a patient, astute and experienced Colombia, which sought to attack the spaces.
With no goals, they went to overtime, where things got physical.
Although basically demanded, James Rodríguez highlighted his quality in the preparation of the game, with an insistent performance in attack by Luis Díaz and outstanding participations by Luis Suárez, Jhon Lucumí and Gustavo Puerta.
Juan Fernando Quintero and Richard Ríos provided mobility in the second half and overtime, which also ended in a 0-0 tie.
Switzerland showed tactical discipline, with a compact block and a midfield led by its captain, Granit Xhaka, who resisted the coffee attempts.
Goalkeepers Camilo Vargas and Gregor Kobel had been key to guaranteeing the tie. Already in the penalty shootout, the Borusia Dormund goalkeeper was the hero, saving Cucho Hernández’s shot.
