The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage delivered another unforgettable day as Switzerland secured the final quarterfinal berth, defeating Colombia 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a tense 0-0 draw through 120 minutes. Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made crucial saves, while Ruben Vargas converted the decisive penalty to send Switzerland into the last eight for the nation's first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 1954.
Earlier in the day, defending champions Argentina completed one of the tournament's greatest comebacks, rallying from 2-0 down to defeat Egypt 3-2. Goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernández in the closing minutes kept Argentina's title hopes alive and set up a blockbuster quarterfinal showdown against Switzerland.
Switzerland Ends 72-Year Quarterfinal Drought
The round of 16 clash between Switzerland and Colombia produced the kind of tension that defines knockout football. Neither side could find a breakthrough across 90 minutes of regulation time or the additional 30 minutes of extra time, leaving the match to be decided from the penalty spot.
Penalty shootouts pit two teams against each other in a best-of-five sequence of kicks from 12 yards, with the team scoring the most advancing. When the tally remains level after five rounds each, the shootout continues one pair at a time until one team scores and the other misses.
Switzerland's Kobel proved the difference, making crucial saves to give his side the edge. Vargas stepped up to convert the decisive penalty, sealing a 4-3 shootout win and writing a new chapter in Swiss football history. The result marks Switzerland's first appearance in a World Cup quarterfinal since 1954 — a tournament the country also hosted that year.
Argentina's Remarkable Comeback
Argentina, the defending champions from the 2022 tournament in Qatar, faced the prospect of a stunning elimination when Egypt built a 2-0 lead. Egypt, appearing in just their fourth World Cup, pushed the South American giants to the brink in a match that tested Argentina's championship pedigree.
The response was emphatic. Cristian Romero pulled one back, Lionel Messi leveled the score, and Enzo Fernández found the winner in the closing minutes to complete a 3-2 comeback. The late surge kept Argentina's bid for back-to-back World Cup titles alive and set up the quarterfinal meeting with Switzerland.
Quarterfinal Matchups Set
The final eight teams are confirmed:
Argentina
Switzerland
France
Morocco
Spain
Belgium
Norway
England
The quarterfinal schedule is as follows:
France vs. Morocco — July 9
Spain vs. Belgium — July 10
Norway vs. England — July 11
Argentina vs. Switzerland — July 11
A Tournament of Surprises
Among the biggest surprises of the tournament are Norway's elimination of six-time champions Brazil and Switzerland's historic victory over Colombia, while favorites such as Portugal, the United States, Mexico, and Brazil have all been knocked out.
Norway's run to the quarterfinals stands as one of the storylines of the competition, particularly given Brazil's storied World Cup history. Morocco's continued presence in the knockout rounds builds on their 2022 semifinal appearance, marking another strong showing for African football on the world stage.
With the quarterfinals set, the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy is entering its decisive stage, featuring a mix of traditional powerhouses and emerging contenders in what promises to be an exciting finish to the tournament.
