Switzerland vs Colombia Live, FIFA World Cup 2026: Switzerland into maiden QFs, beat Colombia on penalties

Ruben Vargas keeps his cool from the spot, tucking his penalty into the bottom-left corner to send Switzerland into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

After 120 goalless minutes filled with tension, near misses and heroic defending, it all came down to nerve from 12 yards, and the Swiss held theirs better to win 4-3 on penalties.

Next up: Lionel Messi's Argentina in a mouthwatering last-eight showdown.

Colombia will take the first penalty as the shootout gets underway in Atlanta.

After 120 minutes couldn't separate these two sides, every kick now carries enormous weight, with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals against Argentina on the line.

Still no breakthrough after 120 exhausting minutes. Colombia came closest through Lucumí's header off the crossbar and Campaz's astonishing late miss, while Switzerland had their moments too, but neither side could find the decisive goal.

After two hours of tension, grit and missed opportunities, this World Cup last-16 tie will now be settled from the penalty spot.

That was it. That was the winner.

Xhaka is caught dawdling in possession and Colombia pounce, sending Campaz clean through with just Kobel to beat. Time seems to stop as the Colombian shapes to finish... but he blazes it over the bar. An unbelievable miss, and surely the biggest chance of the entire match goes begging.

Into the 114th minute and still nothing separates them.

Xhaka tries his luck from 18 yards, but curls his effort over the bar, and with chances still refusing to go in, this absorbing last-16 tie feels destined to be settled from 12 yards.

For a brief moment, it looked like the opening Colombia had been waiting for. Luis Díaz picked out Quintero brilliantly, but after cutting inside to create space, the substitute completely miscues his effort, sending it well over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

The last 15 minutes are underway, and it's now or never for Switzerland and Colombia to avoid a penalty shootout.

Colombia's first attack fizzles out quickly, though, as Mojica's attempted switch towards Luis Díaz sails harmlessly out of play.

Switzerland hit back immediately and almost find the breakthrough.

Substitute Amdouni squeezes a shot through a crowded box from close range, but Vargas reacts brilliantly, sticking out a strong hand to keep Colombia level. Suddenly, this tie has burst into life.

That could have been the moment. Quintero's corner is inch-perfect, finding Lucumí, whose towering header has Kobel beaten, only to crash against the crossbar.

Colombia can hardly believe it, while Switzerland breathe the biggest sigh of relief of the night.

Davinson Sanchez gets caught the wrong side of Itten and hauls the Swiss forward to the ground to stop the attack.

A straightforward booking, and the Colombian defender goes into the referee's notebook.

We're into the 93rd minute and Campaz goes down after Muheim leaves a trailing leg as both chase a loose ball in the box.

Colombia scream for a penalty, VAR takes a long look... but the check is complete, and play continues. A huge moment in extra time.

Thirty more minutes to settle it.

After 90 minutes of discipline, tension and precious few chances, Switzerland and Colombia have one last opportunity to avoid the lottery of penalties and book the final place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

You could sense this one was heading here long before the final whistle. Despite plenty of effort from both sides, clear-cut chances have been at a premium, with Colombia (0.40 xG) only marginally ahead of Switzerland (0.30). Ninety minutes couldn't separate them—now it's another 30 to decide who books the final quarter-final spot, unless penalties have the final say.

Ninety minutes aren't enough in Atlanta as Switzerland and Colombia battle to a tense 0-0 draw.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between, and after a fiercely contested tactical battle, this last-16 tie heads to extra time to decide who joins Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals.

We'll have five more minutes to find a winner. After 90 minutes of fine margins and few clear-cut chances, one decisive moment could still spare these sides the prospect of extra time.

Campaz goes down under pressure from Ndoye as he tries to bring Luis Diaz's long pass under control, prompting loud penalty appeals.

The referee waves them away immediately, judging there wasn't enough in the challenge.

Switzerland make a double change as Murat Yakin looks for a late winner.

Zakaria, already on a yellow card, makes way for Widmer, while the hard-working Embolo is replaced by Cedric Itten to provide fresh energy up front.

We're into the closing stages and the deadlock remains unbroken, with extra time edging ever closer. Colombia roll the dice with a double substitution, bringing on Richard Rios and Cucho Hernandez for Jefferson Lerma and Luis Suárez in search of the goal that could avoid another 30 minutes.

Switzerland recycle a free-kick into the area, but Vargas comes charging through to punch clear and accidentally clatters Embolo in the process.

It looks nasty, but there's nothing malicious about it as both players receive some treatment before play resumes.

Neither side has been able to seize control in a tense, stop-start second half, with clear chances at a premium.

The longer this stays goalless, the more inevitable extra time feels—and right now, it looks the likeliest outcome unless someone produces a moment of magic.