Switzerland Reach World Cup Quarterfinals for First Time Since 1954

Switzerland are into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954, after knocking out Colombia on penalties in the round of 16. It also marks the first time the Swiss have won multiple knockout matches in a single World Cup edition.

Manager Murat Yakin called it a release of an old "curse" — Switzerland had never won a World Cup shootout before, having lost their only previous one against Ukraine back in 2006, and had managed just a single shootout win in their last six across all competitions.

The win came at a cost, with breakout star Johan Manzambi already missing through injury before kickoff. He'd been one of the team's standout performers so far, contributing three goals and two assists in Switzerland's first four games. Vargas himself trained only partially the day before the match but was fit enough to come off the bench and net the winning penalty. Switzerland now turn their attention to defending champions Argentina in the last eight.