Kobel's shootout heroics send Switzerland past Colombia

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·7 de julio de 2026

Kobel's shootout heroics send Switzerland past Colombia

Switzerland advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals after defeating Colombia 4-3 on penalties following a goalless 120 minutes at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. Both defenses proved resolute throughout regulation and extra time, with neither side able to convert clear opportunities despite Colombia generating several big chances that went begging.

The shootout delivered further drama as Davinson Sánchez struck the crossbar and Cucho Hernández saw his effort saved before Rubén Vargas converted the decisive fifth penalty for Switzerland. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Switzerland v Colombia.

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Winners

Gregor Kobel (Switzerland)

Kobel delivered the match-winning performance that sent Switzerland through to face Argentina in the quarterfinals. The goalkeeper's diving save to deny Cucho Hernández's penalty proved the decisive moment in a shootout that finished 4-3 to the Swiss.

Throughout 120 minutes, Kobel made crucial interventions to keep the scoreline level. He produced an excellent diving save to deny Gustavo Puerta's curling effort in the 21st minute and stretched to tip away Jáminton Campaz's fierce strike during extra time.

His positioning and sharp reflexes provided the defensive foundation Switzerland needed against a Colombia side that generated more clear-cut opportunities. With penalties required, Kobel rose to the occasion and his save from Hernández ensured Switzerland's advancement to the last eight.

Rubén Vargas (Switzerland)

Vargas entered as a 92nd-minute substitute but delivered when his country needed him most. The winger stepped up to take Switzerland's fifth and final penalty with the shootout on the line and calmly slotted his effort into the bottom left corner.

His composed right-footed finish sent Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas the wrong way and sparked wild celebrations among the Swiss players and supporters inside BC Place Stadium. The decisive contribution came despite having minimal time to find his rhythm during the match itself.

Having started on the bench due to fitness concerns, Vargas showed remarkable composure under immense pressure with Switzerland's tournament hopes resting on his shoulders. His penalty sealed a hard-fought victory and booked a quarterfinal meeting with defending champions Argentina.

Loser

Jáminton Campaz (Colombia)

Campaz squandered Colombia's clearest opportunity of the entire 120 minutes when he blazed over the crossbar from close range in the 115th minute. Clean through on goal with only Gregor Kobel to beat, the midfielder attempted a curling left-footed shot that sailed harmlessly high.

The miss came after a Swiss defensive error had left Campaz unmarked inside the right side of the penalty area. With time to compose himself and the goal gaping, he opted to seek the top corner rather than simply keeping his effort on target.

While Campaz did convert his penalty in the subsequent shootout, his earlier open-play miss proved devastating for Colombia's quarterfinal hopes. That golden chance represented the defining wasted opportunity that ultimately cost his team progression in the tournament.