Vancouver [Canada], July 9: Switzerland reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years with a 4-3 victory on penalties over Colombia on Tuesday in the concluding round of 16 match.
Ruben Vargas converted the deciding spot-kick after team-mate Manuel Akanji missed for the third time in a shoot-out, but Colombia had Davinson Sanchez hit the underside of the bar and Cucho Hernandez's effort saved by Gregor Kobel.
Captain Granit Xhaka, Zeki Amdouni and Cedric Itten converted the other penalties for the Swiss to reach the last eight for the first time since the 1954 home tournament.
There they will face Lionel Messi's defending champions Argentina who rallied from 2-0 down after 78 minutes to beat Egypt 3-2.
"I think this generation we have now is a special one. Hopefully we'll see another one like it one day, but we've been waiting a long time for a group like this," Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka told broadcaster SRF.
The only last 16 match not decided in 90 minutes was goalless after 120 minutes.
"I don't think you want to hear my match plan today, but it worked out exactly the way we wanted it to. And in the end, that's what matters," Switzerland coach Murat Yakin told SRF.
"You always have a plan. When it works out in the end, it's all the more satisfying. Of course, we also had a bit of luck today, and that's part of football." Chances were sparse in a duel mainly fought out in midfield before Colombia had the better ones, both in extra-time.
Jhon Lucumà headed against the crossbar and Jaminton Campaz incredibly blazed over with only Kobel to beat, and they eventually paid the penalty in the shoot-out.
Colombia conceded only one goal in their five matches, in the first game against Uzbekistan, but fell short of reaching the last eight like they had in 2014.
Instead it was the Swiss who celebrated their first shoot-out win at the World Cup and second from six attempts including the Euros. It ended a run of three straight last 16 exits at the global event.
The Swiss suffered an injury blow when their lively three-time scorer Johan Manzambi was unavailable for the game between two disciplined sides.
Gustavo Puerta forced Kobel to a save in the 21st minute and nine minutes later Fabian Rieder's tight angle shot was parried by Camilo Vargas at the other end.
That was as good as it got before the break while the second almost started with a bang, only for Swiss substitute Djibril Sow to slightly lost his footing and his shot going wide left in the 47th.
Rieder's free-kick a few minutes later ended up in the side-netting while Luis Suarez completely missed the target from a promising position at the other end.
Vargas clattered into Swiss forward Breel Embolo but both could continue.
The Swiss called in vain for a penalty at the end of regulation when Cedric Itten went down and Itten missed a sharp ball across the goalmouth from Dan Ndoye.
The game finally came to life in extra time.
Lucumà headed against the crossbar and a swerving long range effort from Campaz was saved by Kobel with his forearms like a volleyball player.
At the other end Amdouni had a big chance right after coming on, but Vargas was on his guard, and Xhaka curled over in the 113th.
Xhaka then lost the ball in his own penalty area but Campaz incredibly fired over which eventually set up the shoot-out where Switzerland became the sixth European team into the last eight.
The other quarter-finals are France v Morocco, Spain v Belgium and Norway v England.
"I think this national team was destined for better things," Colombia forward Luis Suarez told DSports.
"Fortunately, God, football and life have brought us this far. Let's hope this is a major turning point, because what this team showed at this World Cup has to be viewed in a positive light."
Source: Qatar Tribune
