Switzerland break Colombian hearts with first shoot-out success

Switzerland held their nerve to edge a tight and cagey contest with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out success over unfortunate Colombia and seal a quarter-final meeting with World Cup holders Argentina on Saturday.

Ruben Vargas shook off his pre-game injury doubts to deliver the decisive spot-kick after a painful 120 minutes of goalless knockout football, where neither side managed to impose themselves, needing the cruelty of a shoot-out to finally separate them.

The extra-time period at least offered slightly more excitement, with Jhon Lucum crashing a header against the crossbar and Jaminton Campaz fluffing the best opening of the match, which was probably justly decided by the lottery of kicks from 12 yards.

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Colombia's Davinson Sanchez was the first to miss his penalty but was reprieved by Manuel Akanji skiing his attempt over the crossbar. Cucho Hernandez was then denied by a brilliant save from Gregor Kobel, allowing Vargas to latterly seal the deal.

The outcome felt harsh on a Colombian side whose gameplan was far more adventurous and expansive than their more conservative European counterparts in front of a partisan crowd in Canada, but they ultimately lacked a finisher, and paid a brutal price.

Swiss persistence prevailed in the end - their first ever World Cup shoot-out success - to seal a first quarter-final appearance since hosting the tournament all the way back in 1954. Colombian tears flowed. Their vast promise never got its proper reward.

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