Switzerland vs Colombia: Kobel delivers in the shootout

Gregor Kobel was the decisive figure as Switzerland beat Colombia 0-0 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes in Switzerland vs Colombia. Switzerland reached the quarter-finals of a FIFA World Cup for the first time in 72 years, and Kobel's stop in the shootout was the moment that swung it.

Kobel's role in a tight tie

The numbers fit the story. Kobel was handed the highest verified Switzerland rating in the match at 7.2, and he made one open-play save before the game went to penalties. That does not sound like a keeper who was busy all night, but it does reflect the shape of the contest, where the decisive interventions came in the biggest moments.

Murat Yakin said, "As full-time beckoned, Colombia looked more dangerous, but ultimately neither side could find a breakthrough, and the match headed into extra-time." That reading held up on the pitch. Switzerland were not outplayed in the end, but Colombia created the clearer late openings, including Jhon Lucumí's 99th-minute header that came back off the crossbar.

Colombia's late chances and the shootout swing

Campaz had a glorious chance to win it in extra-time but fired over with only Kobel to beat. Davinson Sánchez then hit the crossbar with his shootout effort, and Switzerland kept their nerve from there. Granit Xhaka's 7.0 rating pointed to control in midfield, while Jhon Arias also finished on 7.0 for Colombia, which tells you the losing side had enough quality to force a very uncomfortable night for Switzerland.

Kobel's save, though, is the one that matters. Switzerland now move on to a quarter-final they have not reached in 72 years, and this was a match decided by a goalkeeper who delivered when the game stopped being about open play and became about nerve.