World Cup: Embolo, Switzerland prevail on penalties
In a nerve-shredding encounter in Vancouver, Switzerland edged Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a scoreless match, earning the right to face Argentina in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Get the latest on the World Cup from the Ligue 1 McDonald's team.
Both teams true to form
As was to be expected, this match was a battle of two defensive titans. Colombia hadn't conceded since their opening group stage match against Uzbekistan, and the Swiss had been imperious in manhandling Algeria in the Round of 32 last week. AS Monaco's Denis Zakaria started at right back, where he had been so impressive against Les Fennecs, while Stade Rennais striker Breel Embolo would lead the line as he looked to continue his strong start to the tournament (two goals, two assists).
If either side had the better of the first half, it was probably Los Cafeteros, as former AS Monaco man James Rodriguez was continuing to pull the strings, and he duly put Gregor Kobel under pressure on thirteen minutes with a teasing free kick. On 21 minutes, Kobel was again called into action, keeping out Gustavo Puerta with a flying save. At the other end, the Swiss' first real chance came through former Stade Rennais man Fabian Rieder, who tested Camilo Vargas on the half hour, and while Dan Ndoye, late of OGC Nice, also had a chance just two minutes later, the latter part of the half drifted, with the interval coming with neither side having scored.
Switzerland qualifies for the World Cup quarterfinals! 🇨ðŸ‡ðŸ”¥ pic.twitter.com/CrBJpqeXL9
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) July 7, 2026
Kobel plays the hero for the swiss
Into the second half, the two 'keepers were less busy until Kobel was quick off his line to deny Jaminton Campaz on 83 minutes, the winger latching on to a beautiful through ball by former Rennes playmaker Juan Fernando Quintero. In added time, Ndoye had another chance which he just dragged wide, but with neither side having found a breakthrough, the match went to extra time.
In the first half of extra time, Kobel pulled off one of the saves of the tournament to keep out a Jhon Lucumi header from close range, and then topped that with a magnificent stop of Cucho Hernandez's penultimate penalty to allow his side to prevail. With the win, the Swiss advance to face Argentina in Kansas City on Saturday, while Colombia exit having conceded fewer goals than any side in the competition save Spain.
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