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Switzerland take on Colombia in World Cup’s final last-16 clash: Live updates
Switzerland and Colombia meet for the final quarter-final spot.
The Athletic Live Team
July 7, 2026 at 4:49 PM EDT
Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
Switzerland and Colombia are level in the opening half of their last-16 clash, with Lionel Messi’s Argentina awaiting the winners in the next round
Switzerland, who beat Algeria 2-0 last time out, are aiming to reach the final eight of a World Cup for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 1954
Colombia are hoping to reach the same stage for just the second time in their history
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HALF-TIME: Goalless at the break
Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
Not the most lively of first halves in Vancouver. Both Colombia and Switzerland know what is at stake, and they’re both a bit reluctant to take risks
Gustavo Puerta had the best chance of the half, but his curling shot was saved by Kobel
Hopefully a bit more excitement when we return!
Switzerland with a chance to ping a free-kick into the box. Instead, they knock a few short passes together upfield and then lose possession
That kind of sums up the reluctance to commit (which is true of both sides)
45′ Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
Three added minutes to be played in Vancouver. Pretty cagey first half but Colombia have had the better of the final minutes
Switzerland definitely missing the threat of Manzambi down the right
Colombia is racking up unforced errors as fatigue catches up with Diaz, Arias and co
Meanwhile, Switzerland has found a second wind right after the hydration break—and possession is now split 50-50
44′ Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
Not sure he should have left that!
Munoz drills a low ball in from the right, and Suarez tries to leave the ball for Diaz, but that gave Freuler a chance to clear. There were five Colombia players in the box!
42′ Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
A lovely 1-2 between Ashari and Xhaka almost pays off, but the return ball is a bit too hard and gets away from the Sunderland man
Switzerland are very good at scrambling in moments when they get caught short at the back
We’ve seen a few occasions where Colombia thought they were in, only to find bodies crowding them out
40′ Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
Munoz lofts a high ball in from the right, it deflects and Luis Diaz attempts an audacious bicycle kick, but it goes awry. The Colombians are cranking up the heat a bit here
Following extensive VAR controversy during the tournament, the officials likely recognise by now that the tussle between Diaz and Elvedi wasn’t a penalty
Referee Barton’s impressive fitness also helps, ensuring he’s always close to the action
38′ Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
Switzerland are doing a great job of defending in the middle of the field at the moment
If Colombia are to have success, they have to keep the ball wide. Diaz, Munoz, Rodriguez; these are the players who are going to force a breakthrough
Switzerland have begun finding Freuler and Jashari between the lines more often since the hydration break – it’s led to their best stretch of this game after Colombia dominated the opening 22 minutes
Munoz offside as he breaks down the right but that’s something Colombia want more of
He’s a handful when he gets forward, and he hasn’t had much of a chance yet
35′ Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
A meaty challenge from Jefferson Lerma on Ndoye gets a big roar from the Colombian fans
Another brilliant pass from Rodriguez finds Munoz behind the Switzerland back line, but unfortunately the move is called back for offside. Munoz went a touch too early
In yesterday’s press conferences, there was a lot of talk about European discipline versus South American emotion/passion
It hasn’t really been like that in the opening half-hour. Very chess-like
33′ Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
Another Swiss chance, this time for Ndoye, almost identical to Rieder’s down the left. This time the winger hits it low with his left across goal and Vargas is equal to it. They have been much better since the hydration break
Colombia get the ball up the other end, but Diaz’s effort is well-blocked
Vargas in the Colombian goal, forced to pay attention for the first time
Colombia don’t clear in front of him and Rieder hammers a powerful shot goalwards. Vargas is ready for it, and gets hands behind it
30′ Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
Brilliant save from Vargas! Rieder gets in down the left and hits it hard. The shot is at a comfortable height for Vargas, but he does well to block it
That Puerta/Lerma vs Xhaka/Freuler duel starts already tilting Colombia’s way
Lerma’s recovery of that loose ball and the one-touch move it sparked — ending in Puerta’s rasping curler that Kobel had to fully stretch to keep out — is exactly the kind of control Colombia have been threatening to establish in midfield
27′ Switzerland 0-0 Colombia
Would appreciate some astute tactical changes here please, lads
