Vancouver, Canada, Jul 7 (EFE).- Switzerland shattered Colombia’s World Cup dream on Tuesday, prevailing in a dramatic penalty shootout 4-3, securing its spot in the quarterfinals, after an intense and hard-fought 0-0 draw in regulation time.
The last penalty shot by Rubén Vargas, which Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas was unable to stop, brought an end to the Colombians’ World Cup run.
The Colombian national team dictated the pace in the first half with high pressure and ball control, neutralizing a Swiss team that could only find openings down the flanks.
The best chance for Colombia came when Gustavo Puerta shot in the 21st minute, but the goalkeeper saved it.
The Swiss shook the foundations of Vancouver Stadium in the 30th minute with a shot by Fabian Rieder that forced a remarkable save from Vargas.
Switzerland seemed to wake up in the second half, with Rieder once again posing a threat with a set-piece shot, but Colombia quickly resumed the pressure with Suárez leading a great individual play by stealing the ball.
Extra time only served to confirm just how evenly matched and hard-fought this quarterfinal berth was for both teams, each seeking to write a new chapter in their World Cup history.
A 98th-minute header by Lucumí off a corner kick could have been Colombia’s lifeline had it not hit the crossbar.
Zeki Amdouni responded with a powerful point-blank shot that Vargas successfully saved.
Fatigue began to take its toll on the Colombians, though they continued to apply pressure up front. Daniel Muñoz chest-trapped a ball that sailed over the goalkeeper’s head, marking one of Colombia’s last chances to avoid a penalty shootout.
Switzerland will now face the Argentine national team in the next round. EFE
mv/mcd
