Switzerland vs Colombia LIVE: FIFA World Cup last 16 score, penalties, commentary & updates
Colombia exit having conceded just one goal in the tournament. They topped their group ahead of Portugal to give them a more favourable path in the knockout stages and they saw off Ghana in the last 32.
But here they couldn’t find a breakthrough under the roof in a sweltering stadium predominantly filled with boisterous Colombian fans.
Luis Diaz, who did score from the spot in the shootout, and James Rodriguez, who became their record appearance maker with 131 caps, tried to create chances in the first half but they struggled without the focal point of a striker.
Campaz and Juan Quintero were lively off the bench but the former’s missed chance late on in extra-time meant Colombia did not add to their tally of five total goals from 94 shots.
Switzerland have now won two knockout games in the World Cup for the first time, having beaten Algeria in the last 32, and now have a chance to stop Lionel Messi and Argentina’s run to back-to-back World Cup glory.
They progressed here without one of the breakthrough stars of the tournament in Johan Manzambi. He missed out through injury, and Switzerland missed his attacking verve and pace which has seen him score three goals and create two more in this tournament.
Vargas, who scored two goals earlier in the tournament, was also only fit for the bench but did come on late and scored the winning spot kick. They will hope both can be fit for Sunday’s quarter-final.
