After waiting for 72 years, the Switzerland National Team has successfully advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals. The team nicknamed Nati eliminated Colombia via a 4-3 (0-0) penalty shootout at BC Place, Vancouver, Canada, Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
The last time the team nicknamed Nati appeared in a World Cup quarterfinal was in 1954. Next, they will face defending champions Argentina at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas, Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 8:00.
Ruben Vargas scored the winning goal for Switzerland after two Colombian penalty takers, Davinson Sanchez and Cucho Hernandez, failed to execute their duties.
Switzerland National Team coach Murat Yakin mentioned that his plan went smoothly. “At the start of the match, we needed experience. We needed the right mentality. Then, in the second half, we made substitutions that gave us greater control, especially in ball possession,” Yakin said, as quoted from the FIFA website.
Both Colombia and Switzerland played very well; it was just that according to Yakin, his team was luckier, allowing them to win this match and qualify for the quarterfinals. Switzerland’s success was inseparable from the players who were confident enough to take the penalty kicks.
“You certainly always have a plan. When that plan finally works out, it feels much more satisfying. Of course, today we were also a little lucky, and that is part of football,” Yakin said.
Now, Switzerland’s focus shifts to Argentina, who arrive as defending champions and possess immense experience in international tournaments. Swiss defender Manuel Akanji emphasized that his team is ready to face Argentina. “Playing against the defending champions Argentina, I think there is no greater challenge. Each subsequent round gets harder, but I think we are ready to face that challenge,” Akanji stated.
Bearing the Consequences
Meanwhile, Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said his team had to bear the consequences for failing to convert pressure into goals. His squad performed quite well over 120 minutes and deserved a better result from a match he described as tight, highly tactical, and balanced.
“What is clear is that we could not score. We knew this match would be very tight, highly tactical, and balanced. Nevertheless, in my opinion, we deserved a better result during those 90 minutes, considering our intent in play and the shot attempts we made,” Lorenzo explained.
Colombian player Jhon Arias apologized to the supporters after failing in the Round of 16. Even so, he assessed that Colombia had shown a positive performance throughout the tournament.
