The Round of 16 stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 concluded with a thrilling encounter between Switzerland and Colombia at BC Place in Vancouver. With neither side managing to score during regulation or extra time, the match was decided by a penalty shootout. Switzerland emerged victorious with a 4-3 scoreline, effectively punching their ticket to the quarterfinals. This victory marks a historic milestone for the Swiss national team, as they have reached the last eight of the World Cup for the first time in 72 years, their previous appearance at this stage dating back to 1954.
Ruben Vargas Seals the Victory
The penalty shootout proved to be the decisive factor in Switzerland's progression. The team entered the match facing a significant challenge, as key player Johan Manzambi was ruled out due to an injury sustained during a training session. Despite this absence, Switzerland maintained a disciplined defensive structure that prevented Colombia from finding the back of the net throughout the match. While both sides converted their initial penalties during the shootout, Colombia failed to convert their fourth attempt. Switzerland's Ruben Vargas stepped up under immense pressure to convert his spot-kick, successfully guiding his team into the next stage of the tournament.
All Eight Quarterfinalists Determined
Following the conclusion of the Round of 16, the full list of teams advancing to the quarterfinals is now finalized. The remaining contenders include Argentina, Switzerland, France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, and England. Switzerland is now scheduled to face defending champions Argentina, who secured their quarterfinal berth with a spectacular 3-2 comeback victory against Egypt after falling behind 0-2 earlier in their Round of 16 match. The quarterfinal stage is set to kick off on July 10, beginning with a clash between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium in Foxborough at 1:30 AM IST.
