Ahead of Argentina test,…

Just moments after Switzerland clinched their spot in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, manager Murat Yakin embraced his captain, Granit Xhaka. The two shared a heartfelt moment on the pitch as tears streamed down Xhaka’s face.

As Gala’s “Freed From Desire” reverberated through BC Place in Vancouver, Yakin and Xhaka appeared overwhelmed with relief. While their match—a hard-fought 0-0 tie against Colombia—was not a spectacle for the ages, the result was everything for Switzerland.

After overcoming Colombia in a penalty shootout, they advanced to the last eight for the first time since their 1954 hosting of the tournament. No Swiss fan will care about the match’s aesthetics; securing a win against a favored Colombian side in front of a largely South American audience was the goal.

Switzerland’s victory sets up a quarterfinal match against reigning champions Argentina at Kansas City Stadium on Saturday. Argentina’s squad has been action-packed, scoring three goals in every match except one this tournament.

In contrast, Switzerland has only surpassed two goals in a game once, achieving a 4-1 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, their knack for tough, gritty performances—combined with Argentina’s vulnerabilities, showcased in their recent 3-2 comeback against Egypt—provides a glimmer of hope that they could pull off an upset and reach the semifinals for the first time.

“In the flow of it all, you don’t quite grasp what’s happening,” Yakin reflected in an interview with Swiss broadcaster SRF after the game. “It took an immense effort—both cleverness and patience. Finally breaking the penalty curse feels incredible. I’m overjoyed for everyone—players, staff, and our fans back home. The emotions are indescribable.”

This win is significant not only for Switzerland but for UEFA as well, with six of the eight quarterfinalists hailing from Europe. This marks the highest representation of European teams in the quarterfinals of a World Cup outside of Europe since 1994, the last tournament held in the United States.

The achievement is even more noteworthy given the tournament’s expanded format, which has increased the total number of participants from 32 to 48. In 2022, 40% of the competing teams were European (13 out of 32), but with only 33% European representation (16 out of 48) in this year’s tournament, a remarkable 75% of the quarterfinalists are from Europe. Following the elimination of all three host nations—United States, Canada, and Mexico—Argentina remains Conmebol’s last team, with Morocco as the final representative from Africa.

Nevertheless, Switzerland must enhance their play to boost UEFA’s chances of having a team in the semifinals. Tuesday’s match was tightly contested, with Colombia arguably creating more opportunities.

The combined expected goals (xG) for both teams was a mere 0.7, marking the lowest of any game in this tournament. Switzerland’s last shot on target came in the 32nd minute, making it the third-lowest xG match in World Cup history (since 1966) according to xG Philosophy.

Colombia nearly clinched a win in extra time, with Jhon Lucumí’s headed attempt striking the crossbar and a long-distance shot from substitute Jáminton Campaz forcing Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into an important save.

Kobel continued to shine during the penalty shootout, brilliantly denying Cucho Hernández after both Davinson Sánchez and Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji failed to convert their attempts.

For Colombia, it was yet another heartbreak in a penalty shootout, reminiscent of their 2018 loss to England. Meanwhile, this victory marks Switzerland’s first-ever World Cup penalty shootout win, making this summer memorable no matter what happens against Argentina, as they’ve won two knockout matches in the same tournament for the first time.

“I’m incredibly proud of the team,” Xhaka stated to SRF. “This display of mental toughness was remarkable. Willpower was key. We’ve made history—it’s an incredible feeling. The relief we feel is tremendous. We’ve waited a long time to create a narrative like this, and now our journey continues. I think this is the pinnacle of this generation, and hopefully, there’s more to come; it’s a truly special group.”

Although their performance may not have been the most thrilling, Switzerland’s grit and determination have opened the door for another chapter in their World Cup narrative. However, facing Lionel Messi and the reigning champions will require nothing short of their best effort to continue their remarkable journey.