Switzerland reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years as Colombia suffered penalty heartbreak again, eight years after going out to England in a shootout.
The last 16 has produced some memorable games, but this was the worst of the lot by some distance as the Swiss set up a clash with Argentina in Kansas City on Sunday.
Both teams had chances to win a turgid encounter in extra-time after Jhon Lucumi headed against the bar for Colombia, and Zeki Amdouni and Jaminton Campaz both wasted chances for Switzerland, before it went to penalties.
Switzerland had lost their only previous World Cup shootout to Ukraine after an equally forgettable draw in 2006. Colombia lost theirs to England in Moscow in 2018, and it ended in tears for them again.
After former Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez hit the underside of the bar, Manuel Akanji – who missed for the Swiss in a shootout defeat to England at Euro 2024 – fired over. But after Gregor Kobel saved from Cucho Hernandez, Ruben Vargas converted the decisive kick.
Snooze-fest
While the lack of quality was alarming, the fact that there was so little to separate these two teams should not have come as a surprise.
Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties after a drab contest finished 0-0 after extra time
Ruben Vargas scored the decisive spot-kick as Switzerland set up a clash with Argentina
They followed a similar path to this stage of the World Cup, finishing top of their groups unbeaten on seven points and beating African opposition in the last 32.
Switzerland had been more prolific than Colombia to this point, but they were hit by the loss of breakout star Johan Manzambi who watched this game wearing a knee brace after suffering an injury in training having contributed three goals and two assists.
Ruben Vargas had scored two more but he was only fit enough for a place on the bench and got on in the 92nd minute before scoring the match-winning penalty.
Fabian Rieder, one of the players drafted in by manager Murat Yakin, and Dan Ndoye had shots saved by Camilo Vargas in a drab first half as Switzerland upped their game after the hydration break.
But that was the sum total of their threat as the two teams produced a combined total of nine touches in the opposition box before half-time. Rieder then fired a free kick into the side-netting early in the second period.
Colombia have created plenty of chances at this World Cup without taking nearly enough of them, but their only real effort of note in the first half came when Gustavo Puerta forced Gregor Kobel into a save with a curling effort from 25 yards.
Luis Suarez, restored to the starting line-up, had a clear sight of goal just after the hour mark but his attempt, shanked horribly wide, rather summed up this forgettable encounter.
Colombian stars were devastated after their shootout defeat sent them out of the World Cup
Rodriguez record
It’s 12 years since James Rodriguez lit up the 2014 World Cup as Colombia reached the quarter-finals for the only time, and the former Real Madrid man was still there at the age of 34 as he won a record 131st cap for his country.
Rodriguez was involved in Colombia’s more promising moments, even though they were few and far between, but he couldn’t provide a creative spark to break the deadlock before he ran out of steam and was replaced in the 66th minute.
Goodbye to Canada
Canada said goodbye to the World Cup as Vancouver hosted the country’s last game of the tournament.
It was the seventh match to be played at BC Place and the previous six had produced a total of 23 goals. This one couldn’t have been more different.
Switzerland have featured in three of those games, having beaten co-hosts Canada and Algeria before this game after recovering from a shock opening draw with Qatar.
Although the Swiss will have felt at home in Vancouver, their fans are used to being heavily outnumbered after facing Canada and then a Colombia side who had the backing of large swathes of supporters in yellow shirts.
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