Switzerland beat Colombia in a penalty shootout on Tuesday to advance to the last eight at the World Cup for the first time since 1954. They will play Argentina on Saturday in Kansas City.
Switzerland won the test of nerve and technique 4-3 after a match at the Vancouver Stadium that ended 0-0.
The 120 minutes of regulation and extra-time before the shootout were a tense, tactical affair.
Six minutes from the end, Switzerland skipper Granit Xhaka squandered a good chance for his side to take the lead when he clipped a shot over the crossbar.
Down the other end, Ciolombia's Jaminton Campaz was in equally profligate mood.
Seventy-year wait
With only the Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel blocking the goal, Campaz curled the ball high over the target. The 26-year-old held his head in his hands in disbelief at the gaffe.
On the sidelines, head coach Nestor Lorenzo stared into the distance.
Both Campaz and Xhaka were more accurate during the shootout converting their spot kicks.
But Colombia's Davinson Sanchez thundered his kick onto the crossbar and Kobel saved Juan Camilo Hernandez's effort to give Ruben Vargas the chance to claim glory.
The 27-year-old striker, who plays for the Spanish side Sevilla, slotted the ball calmly past the Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas to launch Swis celebrations.
They will take on the defending champions Argentina who advanced to the quarter-finals following a spectacular late comeback against Egypt.
Egypt squander two-goal lead
Leading 2-0 with 11 minutes of regulation time remaining, Egypt collpased and lost 3-2.
Argentina skipper Lionel Messi, who had missed a first half penalty, atoned for his blunder with the pass that led to Argentina's first goal.
The 39-year-old scored his eighth goal of the 2026 World Cup to draw his side level.
Enzo Fernandez headed in Argentina's winner two minutes into the 11 minutes of stoppage time.
The Egyptians could not muster a response.
During an acrimonious aftermath, Egypt boss Hossam Hassan hit out at the officiating.
He claimed the refereeing team should have awarded a foul to his team in the prelude to Argentina's winner.
"I promise you, from the moment I go back to Egypt, I'm not going to continue following the matches of this World Cup," said the former Egypt international.
"This is my internal fight, my internal objection, my own way of speaking up and standing up. I am not going to watch not a single match of this tournament."
Eight games remain of the 104 ties at the first 48-team World Cup.
