Switzerland is heading to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 after defeating Colombia 4-3 on penalties following a scoreless 120 minutes. This hard-fought victory sets up a highly anticipated clash against defending champions Argentina, who staged an incredible comeback in their own Round of 16 match.
The Swiss encounter with Colombia was a grueling, tense battle where neither side could find a clinical edge. For the majority of the initial 90 minutes, the game remained a quiet affair, especially compared to the high-scoring drama of the Argentina-Egypt match earlier in the day. Both teams struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, frequently sending crosses straight to the opposing goalkeepers or firing shots well wide of the target. As regulation time wound down, the fear of making a decisive, tournament-ending mistake hung heavily over the pitch.
Switzerland came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 91st minute when Dan Ndoye got a half-chance inside the penalty area, but his scuffed shot rolled wide of the Colombian goal. With the score still 0-0 at the end of 90 minutes, the match moved into a tense 30-minute extra-time period.
Drama erupted almost immediately in extra time when Colombia had a strong penalty appeal turned down. Jáminton Campaz knocked the ball past Miro Muheim before colliding with the Swiss defender and falling to the ground. Despite slow-motion replays showing a plausible case for a penalty, the referee let play continue, a decision quickly upheld by a video assistant referee check. Later, in the 104th minute, Switzerland missed their own golden opportunity. Rubén Vargas found himself unmarked at the penalty spot during a rare Swiss counter-attack, but his shot went straight to Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, who punched it clear.
A rare blunder from Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka nearly gifted Colombia the lead in the second half of extra time. Xhaka failed to clear a long ball, allowing Campaz to steal possession and charge clean through on goal. However, Campaz blasted his shot high into the stands, leaving the game deadlocked and destined for a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Colombia’s Juan Fernando Quintero opened with a successful strike down the middle. Xhaka equalized for Switzerland, converting his penalty despite Camilo Vargas getting a hand to it. Colombia then faltered when Davinson Sánchez struck his shot against the crossbar. Zeki Amdouni, who had entered the match as a substitute, capitalised on the advantage by slotting his penalty into the bottom right corner to put Switzerland ahead 2-1. Campaz kept Colombia in it by sliding his shot under the Swiss goalkeeper, and the shootout leveled at 2-2 when Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji sent his effort over the crossbar. Luis Diaz then converted his penalty into the bottom left corner to make it 3-3, putting the pressure back on the Swiss. Rubén Vargas stepped up for the final kick, burying his shot into the bottom left corner to seal the 4-3 shootout victory and send Switzerland through.
Switzerland’s next opponents, Argentina, booked their quarterfinal spot in Atlanta on Tuesday after pulling off one of the most remarkable comebacks in World Cup history. The Albiceleste defeated Egypt 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 16 match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, fueled by an electric, heavily Argentine crowd. The game began as an even, tactical battle, but Egypt shocked the reigning world champions in the 15th minute. Marwan Attia delivered a precise pass that bypassed the Argentine defense, allowing Yasser Ibrahim to outmuscle Lisandro Martínez and head the ball past goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Argentina quickly earned a chance to equalize when Nicolás Tagliafico was brought down in the penalty box by Haissem Hassan. However, Lionel Messi’s low penalty shot to the right was spectacularly saved by a diving Mostafa Shobeir, marking Messi’s second missed penalty of the tournament. Shobeir continued his heroic performance, denying Alexis Mac Allister’s close-range header after a hydration break and making a diving save against Julián Álvarez’s attempt from a Tagliafico cross just before halftime. Messi also came close with a bending long-range free kick that struck the post.
Egypt appeared to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the 55th minute when Mostafa Ziko scored off a pass from Mohamed Salah following a run by Haissem Hassan. However, the video assistant referee disallowed the goal, ruling that Marawan Attia had fouled Lisandro Martínez on the other side of the pitch at the start of the counter-attack. Despite this reprieve for Argentina, Egypt did find their second goal in the 67th minute. Salah intercepted an Argentine attack, sprinted down the field, and found Hassan, who cut into the box and set up Ziko to rifle home a legitimate 2-0 lead.
Facing elimination, Argentina mounted a furious late charge. In the 83rd minute, Messi initiated a play into the box that was deflected and headed down. Pouncing on the loose ball, Messi unleashed a powerful strike that deflected off Shobeir’s hand and the crossbar before crossing the line for the equalizer. In stoppage time, the comeback was completed when Enzo Fernández scored a dramatic header on a counter-attack, securing the 3-2 victory.
Following the final whistle, Argentine fans and players celebrated wildly. Messi, who was named Man of the Match, extended his World Cup record to 21 goals across six tournaments, with his eight goals in this edition putting him in the lead for the Golden Boot. Despite his historic achievements, the emotional weight of the victory was evident as tears filled the eyes of Argentina’s legendary captain amidst the roaring crowd in Atlanta.
The opening minutes were relatively evenly matched as both teams felt each other out like boxers at the start of a major bout. The electric crowd in Atlanta was dominated by Argentines, though there were a few pockets of loud, vibrant fans clad in Egyptian red.
It was a moment of humanity for an otherworldly player – and echoed the tears in the eyes of Argentines throughout Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
