Switzerland bury the penalty curse, Argentina up next

Penalty curse buried, Argentina next

Your team did it. Switzerland 0–0 Colombia in the World Cup last 16, then a penalty shootout that rewrote history (2) (3). Gregor Kobel saved the decisive spot-kick from Cucho Hernandez. "Speechless," Kobel said afterwards. Manuel Akanji saw his third tournament penalty saved and told reporters it would be his last attempt. Murat Yakin had prepared every detail, right down to the players' stance and composure during the shootout. The combined xG was 0.7, neither side created much. Switzerland broke the penalty curse and reached a World Cup quarterfinal.

Argentina on Saturday

Argentina await in the quarterfinals. The match is Saturday, July 11 (1). The historical record is grim, Argentina have dominated this fixture. But Yakin's side just stared down a shootout and did not blink. He knows Argentina well, having visited La Bombonera and the AFA training ground on what he called an "inspiring" trip (1). That preparation, that obsession with detail, is why your team is still standing.