Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties, Argentina await in the quarter-finals

Switzerland 0–0 Colombia (4–3 pens)

Your team is in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954. Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties after a goalless draw in Vancouver on Tuesday, and the 72-year wait is over (1). Gregor Kobel saved the decisive spot-kick from Cucho Hernandez. Granit Xhaka summed it up: "I think this generation we have now is a special one" (1).

Yakin's plan worked exactly as drawn up

Murat Yakin had every detail mapped out. Even the way his players stood during the shootout, their composure, was prepared. "I don't think you want to hear my gameplan today, but it worked out exactly the way we wanted it to, and in the end, that's what matters," Yakin said (1). The combined xG across 120 minutes was just 0.7, Colombia created almost nothing (1).

Akanji: no more penalties

Manuel Akanji saw his spot-kick saved, his third tournament penalty miss in a row. He did not hide from it. He acknowledged the failure afterwards and said it would be his last attempt (1).

Argentina in the quarters

Defending champions Argentina await. The history is brutal, Switzerland have never beaten them in a competitive match. The wound from 2014, when Blerim Dzemaili hit the post in extra time, still lingers (4). Zeki Amdouni put it simply on Snapchat after the shootout: "I'm going to play against Messi. Yeah, that's it, I can retire from football" (Reddit).

Dan Ndoye turning heads

Dan Ndoye's tournament is being noticed. Nottingham Forest's new manager Oliver Glasner is being urged to build his team around the Swiss forward after his performances at this World Cup (5).

Fan reactions

Fans are riding the high of the shootout and already looking ahead. The Amdouni quote about facing Messi has taken off on r/soccer, and RTS and RSI commentary clips of the winning penalty are going around. The mood is giddy disbelief, exactly what you would expect after 72 years. Watch the winning penalty with Swiss commentary.