Switzerland edge Colombia on penalties to set up Argentina clash — and England’s path just got trickier

Switzerland reached the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals by beating Colombia 4-3 on penalties, after one of the drabbest games of the tournament so far. In Vancouver, Murat Yakin’s side never found a way through (0-0 after extra time), but Ruben Vargas held his nerve to slot home the decisive spot-kick. The reward is a heavyweight tie against Argentina — and suddenly the half of the draw England must navigate looks a lot clearer.

A forgettable game settled from the spot as Switzerland survive

Switzerland are into the quarter-finals after seeing off Colombia 4-3 in the shootout. The 120 minutes that preceded it, though, were grim: no goals, barely any clear chances, and two sides seemingly terrified of losing. Ruben Vargas buried the decisive penalty to hand Murat Yakin a hard-earned, if joyless, passage into the last eight.

Luis Díaz and Colombia pay the price for a blunt attacking display. Solid on their run to the last 16, Los Cafeteros never found another gear when it mattered and exit by the finest of margins — a cruel end, but a fair one for a team that waited too long to take risks.

Switzerland vs Argentina: what it means for England

This Switzerland-Argentina quarter-final shapes England’s road to the final. Argentina remain the standout threat in this section of the draw, but a Switzerland side capable of grinding out results like this is exactly the kind of stubborn opponent that trips up bigger names in knockout football.

For Thomas Tuchel’s England, the takeaway is blunt: whoever emerges from that tie, they’ll have to beat a team hardened by tight games. World Cups aren’t won by the prettiest side — they’re won by the most resilient. And Switzerland have just underlined the point in Vancouver.

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