SWITZERLAND won on penalties to set up a Kansas City quarter-final against the holders.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi-inspired 3-2 comeback win over Egypt hours earlier was jam-packed with high drama but this was the complete opposite.
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Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties after a 0-0 bore draw Credit: Getty
Colombia missed out on a quarter-final with Argentina Credit: Getty
But after 120 goalless minutes, Ruben Vargas clinched it 4-3 in the shootout.
Both teams were without their No9s as the curtain came down on Canada’s World Cup co-hosting debut.
Newcastle transfer target Johan Manzambi, 20, had three goals and two assists in Switzerland’s first four games at this World Cup but missed out with a knee injury.
Jhon Cordoba went off early in the Ghana win and was replaced by Luis Suarez, who started in Vancouver in Colombia’s only change.
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That meant James Rodriguez made a record-breaking 131st Colombian appearance despite being hooked at half-time on Friday.
It was in the last 16 in 2014 that he scored THAT goal, while Switzerland were aiming to get to the quarters for the first time since hosting the 1954 tournament.
After a drab start, Gustavo Puerta nearly exploded the game into life with the first flash of excitement on 21 minutes.
His curling effort was bound for the top corner until Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel flung himself across to push away well.
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But the likes of France, Spain and Argentina are all serious contenders to go all the way.
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Nine minutes later at the other end, Camilo Vargas reacted sharply to deny Fabian Rieder before the Colombian stopper got down fast and held Dan Ndoye’s low angled shot.
But after that flurry of three half-chances, the game resumed at its tame, tepid temperature until the break.
Half-time sub Djibril Sow slipped as he shot two minutes into the slightly-better second half after good work from Ndoye.
Granit Xhaka planted studs on Daniel Munoz’s foot. Munoz hurt. Xhaka booked.
Rieder whipped a free-kick into the side netting as Switzerland pressed for the breakthrough.
Kobel saved easily from Diaz then watched Suarez slice harmlessly wide.
Rodriguez was withdrawn, unable to repeat his heroics 12 years on.
Ultimately, extra-time was inevitable as two very even teams with rock-solid defences cancelled each other out.
Davinson Sanchez’s penalty hit the bar then bounced away off the line Credit: Reuters
Manuel Akanji blazed over Credit: AP
Gregor Kobel did brilliantly to deny Cucho Hernandez Credit: Reuters
Ruben Vargas sealed the shootout victory Credit: Reuters
There, the match finally got going.
Two minutes in, Miro Muheim clumsily caught Jaminton Campaz late but the referee and VAR said no penalty, sparking Colombian fury.
Fury then frustration.
Jhon Lucumu thundered a header against the bar and Kobel beat away Campaz’s dipping knuckleball strike from range as Colombia turned the screw.
Then Vargas saved brilliantly from Swiss sub Zeki Amdouni, all in an uncharacteristically frantic first 15 minutes.
In the second, lively Juan Quintero and Xhaka both shot over.
Munoz picked dithering Xhaka’s pocket. Campaz should have capitalised but blazed and it went to penalties.
Somehow there were handbags during the shootout as Yerry Mina clashed with Xhaka and Manuel Akanji ahead of the first Swiss effort, scored by the Jattvibederland midfielder.
Kobel saved Gustavo Puerta’s curling effort Credit: Reuters
Fabian Rieder had Switzerland’s first chance Credit: Reuters
Johan Manzambi missed the game after suffering a knee injury in training Credit: AP
Miro Muheim got away with one as he clumsily brought Jaminton Campaz down Credit: Reuters
Jhon Lucumi headed against the crossbar early in extra-time Credit: Getty
Vargas made a smart stop off Switzerland’s Zeki Amdouni Credit: Reuters
It was record-breaking cap No131 for James Rodriguez – and Granit Xhaka’s 151st for Switzerland Credit: Reuters
Camilo Vargas wiped out Breel Embolo in a heavy collision Credit: AP
Then ex-Prem defenders Davinson Sanchez and Akanji both went too high.
Sanchez thumped the bar and it bounced off the line, Akanji couldn’t keep it down.
But Kobel’s super save from Cucho Hernandez restored the Swiss advantage and Vargas scored past the other Vargas to win it.
