Share to ClassroomSwitzerland Reach Quarter-Finals After 72 Years
Switzerland reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years on Tuesday. They beat Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout— a way to decide the game when the score is level. The match ended 0-0 after 120 minutes. It was played at a full BC Place stadium in Vancouver, where most fans wore yellow for Colombia. Substitute Ruben Vargas scored the winning penalty. Colombia's Davinson Sanchez hit the crossbar, and Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made a key save.
The win was special. Switzerland had not gone this far since they hosted the World Cup in 1954. In the last three tournaments, they always stopped at the round of 16. Coach Murat Yakin's team played without midfielder Johan Manzambi, who was hurt in training the day before. Switzerland played a careful, organised game, while Colombia attacked more. Neither team could score. Colombia last reached the quarter-finals in 2014.
Now Switzerland will play the defending champions, Argentina, who beat Egypt 3-2 the same day. The game will be at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Vargas was the hero. He had also left training early on Monday, but he was fit enough to come on from the bench near the end. It is a surprising, deep run for a country that has rarely done well at a World Cup.
