World Cup 2026: Colombia edge Switzerland on penalties in Vancouver

Goalless in 120, decided from twelve yards

The World Cup 2026 Round of 16 tie between Switzerland and Colombia at BC Place in Vancouver ended 0-0 after 120 minutes, and it was Colombia who came through the penalty shoot-out to reach the last eight.

On a cloudy evening, cool and comfortable rather than punishing, neither side found a way through in normal or extra time. The numbers tell the story of the balance. Colombia carried the greater threat, posting 1.03 expected goals (xG, a measure of chance quality) against Switzerland's 0.35, and they created two big chances to Switzerland's none. Colombia mustered nine shots inside the penalty area and 13 key passes, while Switzerland held a marginal edge in possession at 53 per cent. Efficient in front of goal, neither team was — and so it went to a shoot-out.

The reward is a considerable one. Colombia now travel on to the quarter-finals, where Argentina are waiting on 12 July. For Switzerland, a diligent night ends in the cruellest fashion.

How Switzerland and Colombia lined up in Vancouver

Yellow cards, late tweaks and a shoot-out swing

Switzerland made an early adjustment, sending D. Sow on for A. Jashari at the restart. The middle of the second half turned scrappy: G. Xhaka and D. Zakaria were booked for Switzerland either side of the hour, and L. Suarez went into the referee's book for Colombia on 60 minutes.

Colombia's Néstor Lorenzo reached for reinforcements just past the hour, introducing J. Quintero for J. Rodriguez and J. Campaz for J. Arias. Switzerland responded with M. Muheim for R. Rodriguez, and later a double change brought on C. Itten and S. Widmer for B. Embolo and D. Zakaria. Both benches emptied as the tie stretched into extra time, with Y. Mina among the last on for Colombia.

Then the drama. With the game still level, the shoot-out swung on the misses. J. Quintero and J. Campaz found the net for Colombia, but D. Sanchez and C. Hernandez both failed to convert. Switzerland had their own troubles from the spot, M. Akanji and C. Itten's earlier successful effort not enough as the sequence ran against them. In the end Colombia held their nerve where it mattered to progress.

Colombia's backers got the right winner

The futbol.so community leaned towards Colombia, and the most popular scoreline had them winning 2-0. The result did not arrive in ninety minutes — this was a goalless grind settled from twelve yards — but the ultimate call was sound: Colombia went through.

That view aligned with the official forecast, which made Colombia the most likely winners. Sentiment by country was less unanimous. Colombia's own supporters, unsurprisingly, backed their side; Argentina's community was split, edging towards a 2-1 Colombia win; and Austria's followers leaned towards a draw, favouring a 2-2. A stalemate they got — just not one with any goals in it.

Video highlights

FIFA WC 2026 | Switzerland - Colombia 0:0 (4:3) | (osmina finala ) | 07.07.2026.

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Suiza vs Colombia (0-0) (Penaltis 4-3) | Resumen | Highlights Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026™

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Switzerland 🆚 Colombia #FIFAWorldCupOnYT

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SVIZZERA ai quarti, tutti i RIGORI: Svizzera-Colombia 4-3 d.c.r. | FIFA World Cup | DAZN Highlights

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Switzerland KNOCKOUT Colombia in Penalties to advance to World Cup Quarterfinal

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Full Penalty Shootout - Switzerland v Colombia | FIFA World Cup 2026

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HIGHLIGHTS - Switzerland v Colombia | Nervy Matchup | FIFA World Cup 2026

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Colombia Train Before Switzerland | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Switzerland Train Before Colombia | FIFA World Cup 2026™

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Colombia On Playing Switzerland | Nestor Lorenzo Takes Questions

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LIVE | Switzerland vs Colombia | Live The Game | Round of 16 | FIFA World Cup 2026 | T Sports

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A night short on goals but heavy on tension, then, and a familiar tale for Switzerland, who so often find their World Cup run ended by the finest of margins. Colombia move on with their poise from the spot intact.

Next comes the sternest test of all: a quarter-final against Argentina on 12 July. On this evidence Colombia will need to be sharper in front of goal — but they will not lack for belief.