Switzerland end World Cup shootout hoodoo to book historic quarterfinal against Argentina

• Switzerland defeated Colombia on penalties to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954.
• Murat Yakin praised his players for ending the nation’s long-standing penalty shootout struggles.
• Switzerland will now face reigning champions Argentina for a place in the semifinals.

Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin hailed his side for ending the nation’s penalty shootout frustrations after a dramatic victory over Colombia secured a place in the World Cup quarterfinals.

The Swiss defeated Colombia in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw at BC Place in Vancouver, with substitute Rubén Vargas converting the decisive kick following Gregor Kobel’s crucial save from Cucho Hernández. Earlier misses from Davinson Sánchez and Manuel Akanji had left the contest finely balanced before Vargas settled the tie.

The victory marked Switzerland’s first-ever success in a World Cup penalty shootout after losing their only previous attempt against Ukraine in 2006.

It also ended a poor recent record from the spot, with Switzerland having won just one of their previous six penalty shootouts in all competitions before overcoming Colombia.

Yakin praised his players for their resilience after the final whistle.

“You’re kind of in the flow and don’t quite know what to take in,” Yakin said.

“It took an incredible fight.”

“Cleverness and patience, too.”

“And then the penalty shootout at the end, we finally broke the curse.”

“I’m incredibly happy for everyone, the players, the staff, and the fans at home.”

“Just unbelievable emotions.”

“The feeling during the decisive penalty is fantastic, indescribable.”

“A huge compliment to Kobel as well. He’s playing a fantastic tournament.”

Switzerland advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 and have now reached the last eight in three of their past four major international tournaments.

Although Switzerland struggled to create attacking opportunities against Colombia, Yakin said the performance unfolded exactly as planned.

“Nobody wants to hear my game plan, but that’s exactly how it worked out,” he said.

Defender Manuel Akanji admitted responsibility for Switzerland’s missed penalty before praising the team’s response.

“I told Muri that was the last penalty I’d ever take,” Akanji said.

“It was disastrous.”

“I changed my mind at the last moment.”

“The oldest rule says you shouldn’t change your mind.”

“I went for it, then I slipped a bit and the ball went four meters over the goal.”

“I’m incredibly proud of how the team reacted.”

“We didn’t play that well. Especially offensively, we were lacking a lot.”

“But we were compact as a team.”

Switzerland’s reward is a quarterfinal meeting with defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

Captain Granit Xhaka welcomed the challenge as Switzerland prepare for one of the biggest matches in the country’s football history.

“That’s a great reward,” Xhaka said.

“Goal No. 1 has been achieved, but when you’re in the quarterfinals, the hunger is even greater than before.”

“Now comes the big challenge with one of the greatest players.”