Switzerland End 72 Year Quarter Final Wait

Somewhere in Vancouver on Tuesday night, a Swiss team that had managed just two shots on target in 131 minutes of football found itself celebrating a place in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 72 years, going back to when the tournament was last held on home soil in 1954. Ruben Vargas's penalty settled a shoot-out that Colombia will feel they did not deserve to lose, but Switzerland will not care about the manner of it. They are through, and they face defending champions Argentina next.

A goalless grind settled by penalties

The last-16 tie in Vancouver never threatened to be a classic. Colombia's Gustavo Puerta forced an early save from Gregor Kobel, Fabian Reider blazed a Swiss chance straight at Camilo Vargas, and Jhon Lucumi crashed a header against the crossbar deep into extra time. Jaminton Campaz then somehow put the game's clearest opening wide with the goal gaping. Beyond those moments, 120 minutes produced remarkably little, and Sky Sports described Switzerland's approach play as shot-shy, noting their last effort on target had arrived as early as the 32nd minute.