Quarterfinals! Kobel Becomes Switzerland’s World Cup Hero | OneFootball

Even during regulation time, Kobel had kept national team coach Murat Yakin’s team in the game with several saves. After 120 minutes, the score was still 0-0. In addition to the BVB goalkeeper, the crossbar also came to Switzerland’s rescue in extra time after a header by Colombian Jhon Lucumi. Kobel had managed to get his fingertips to that ball as well. 

In a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, it was Colombia’s fourth shooter who failed to beat the Dortmund goalkeeper from the spot. Earlier, Davinson Sanchez for Colombia (hit the crossbar) and former Borussian player Manuel Akanji for Switzerland (shot over the goal) had also missed their attempts.

Kobel: “The best day of my life in sports”

“From a sporting perspective, this is definitely the best day of my life. But I’ll probably need a moment to let it all sink in. After a game like that, I don’t even know what’s going on,” Kobel told Swiss media euphorically after the match. The 28-year-old was named “Player of the Match” by FIFA. 

Regarding his crucial penalty save against Cucho Hernandez, Kobel said: “It was a huge moment for me! Seeing the lads push each other on. The emotions that came out of it. That’s unique.” Former Bundesliga players Ruben Vargas and Yann Sommer then scored the decisive fourth goal in the penalty shootout for the Swiss.

Switzerland is having the most successful World Cup in its history at the tournament in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Although Switzerland reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the third and last time in 1954, it had to play fewer matches to get there.

In the quarterfinals, Gregor Kobel and his Swiss teammates will face defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, early Sunday morning (3 a.m. German time).