PREVIEW: Switzerland and Colombia face off with coveted spot in quarter-finals on the line | OneFootball

Sam Bunce, World Cup Correspondent

Switzerland and Colombia are both bidding for a rare shot at competing in the quarter-finals of the World Cup as they meet in Vancouver after emerging through the group stages without suffering defeat.

Switzerland secured their first knockout win at the World Cup in 88 years by overcoming Algeria 2-0, when breakout star Johan Manzambi surged forward and found Breel Embolo to score the opener before Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye added a second goal.

Advancing as group winners, they did so by enjoying possession and controlling the rhythm of their encounters, but their curtain raiser against Qatar suggested they lacked an attacking edge.

They amassed 26 shots against 2022’s hosts and came away with a 1-1 draw, but they sprang into life in front of goal by virtue of the substitutes against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and narrowly avoided sharing the spoils with co-hosts Canada.

Manzambi, 20, has announced himself on the global stage after scoring three goals so far for his nation, forming a complementary and dynamic partnership with marksman Embolo.

The former is set to receive an enquiry from Newcastle United to lure him away from German side Freiburg, as the Magpies are imminently expected to initiate discussions to sign the youngster this summer.

Unfortunately for Murat Yakin, Manzambi has been ruled out of the last-16 tie with a knee problem, in what will be a huge blow to the Swiss.

With Manazambi needing to be replaced Yakin is sure to lean onto his established wingers of Ndoye and Rubén Vargas, who have earned their keep ahead of another high-stakes clash.

With Switzerland already qualified, Ndoye was dropped for Djibril Sow against Canada, but he was reinstated against Algeria when he gave his team daylight by doubling the advantage at the start of the second half.

The only real dilemma Yakin faces will be at right-back, since Denis Zakaria could be moved to the bench after making way in the 87th minute in the Round of 32 tie with an apparent injury.

Switzerland named just one player under the age of 25 in Manzambi in their previous starting eleven, akin to last 16 opponents Colombia, who also finished as group winners.

A stalemate against Portugal in their final group game would suffice to claim the top spot, after victories over Uzbekistan and DR Congo.

Following the ignominy of missing out entirely on Qatar’s World Cup four years ago due to a wretched qualifying campaign, swathes of Colombian supporters have blanketed the stands in yellow so far at this edition.

In Kansas against Ghana, that was no exception, and Los Cafeteros edged past the African side 1-0 courtesy of Jhon Arias’ strike, while talisman Luis Díaz thought he sent the fans into pandemonium until the offside flag cut the celebrations short.

Aiming to guide Colombia to emulating their run to their first quarter-final finish in Brazil 12 years ago, manager Néstor Lorenzo, who started for Argentina in the 1990 World Cup final defeat to West Germany, will be compelled to build his team around Bayern Munich winger Díaz.

Jhon Córdoba was forced off early in the victory over Ghana with a concerning injury to his adductor, ruling him out for four weeks, but Luis Suárez has superior prowess in front of goal and also set up Colombia’s opener six minutes after coming on.

The Sporting Lisbon striker has succeeded Viktor Gyokeres with flying colours, recording the best goal tally of his career in his maiden season for the Portuguese club.

Captain James Rodríguez should accompany these two forwards on the front line, but his starting spot for 2024’s Copa America finalists is not nailed down, since the 34-year-old was withdrawn at half-time against Ghana.

The winner of this match will face the winner of the round of 16 tie between Argentina and Egypt, and the quarter-final clash will take place in Kansas City Stadium on Sunday, 12th July.

The game will take place on Tuesday, July 7th at 21:00 (BST), and will be broadcast on ITV.

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