asks Carlos.
22 min A spectacular save from Kobel! Lerma intercepts a loose ball from about 30 yards out and passes it to Puerta. The midfielder cuts inside and unleashes a shot towards the far corner, but Kobel stretches to push it away. Exciting moments unfold!
20 min Switzerland hesitates with the ball in their own box after some assured possession from Colombia. Kobel decides to clear it decisively.
18 min Zakaria shields the ball out for a goal-kick while under pressure from the relentless Mojica. Xhaka and Rodriguez miscommunicate, resulting in Rodriguez’s pass rolling out for a throw-in.
16 min A clever backheel from Suárez sets Colombia in motion. Elvedi manages to win the duel with Díaz as Rodríguez attempts to thread a pass through on the break.
14 min Elvedi becomes frustrated with Suárez and fouls Díaz on the left wing after the Bayern winger flicks the ball past him. He escapes a yellow card. Rodríguez’s delivery is tantalizing but Lucumí cannot connect.
12 min We catch our first glimpse of Gianni Infantino in the stands, and he appears particularly glum today. On the pitch, Suárez and Elvedi continue their personal competition with several aerial duels.
10 min Every time Colombia gains possession, the crowd erupts with cheers. After Embolo presses their defense, Colombia enjoys a spell of possession in Switzerland’s half.
8 min Ndoye takes a first-time shot from the left of the penalty area, but the flag goes up as Vargas easily collects his attempt. Suárez leaves a mark on Elvedi after the ball is gone. It’s getting a bit intense.
6 min The excitement builds as Jhon Arias advances into Switzerland’s half. Zakaria manages to intercept his cross for a corner before Díaz can reach it. Rodríguez’s corner is cleared, and Ndoye earns a free-kick.
4 min Zakaria makes a powerful run down the right flank for Switzerland, but Mojica clears the danger. Freuler gives Mojica a knee in the back during a challenge at midfield.
2 min The match starts with a frantic pace. Zakaria dodges Díaz at midfield, but Sánchez clears the ball out for a throw-in. The boos and whistles directed at Switzerland when they have the ball are quite loud. Goalkeeper Kobel sends a wayward pass out of play, eliciting more cheers.
James Rodríguez and Granit Xhaka share a handshake at the coin toss. The referees hail from El Salvador.
“I would put my money on what could be worst match in the Round of 16 so far, surpassing the France v Paraguay game,” writes Ahmad bin Faisal. Stay tuned!
The Swiss anthem is merely a prelude to the Colombian one. Daniel Muñoz passionately sings, eyes shut. Some fans in the crowd are moved to tears.
Vancouver Stadium is predictably filled with yellow, interspersed with some red patches (which may also be Canadian jerseys). A massive roar echoes as Luis Díaz appears on the big screen.
We’ll set aside the talk of chocolate – this exposure is precisely what Canadian businesses sought from hosting the World Cup – as kick-off draws near. Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi, donning a knee brace, will not participate.
The grand player walk-out is underway…
“As a Brit & naturalized American who lives in Alaska, Vancouver has been the closest World Cup venue, albeit a 2,200 mile drive away – slightly further than London to Ankara,” writes Mike from Girdwood, Alaska.
“The US is a huge country! On the positive side, whatever time the kickoff, it’s always during daylight!”
“Not a huge chocolate fan, but I can also vouch for Purdy’s — their Sweet Georgia Browns (a sort of salted caramel/pecans/thick chocolate cluster) are the bomb. Not cheap, mind you,”
writes David Marriott from Vancouver Island.
“Frustrating when I hear people make the comment that Colombia are lacking a proper striker, considering Jhon Duran didn’t even receive a call up to the selection! What’s the story there?”
Durán was included in the preliminary 55-man roster but was omitted from the final squad after being granted a leave of absence by Zenit in May. The former Aston Villa forward joined the Russian club on loan from Al-Nassr in February but has seen little playing time since. Thus, it remains somewhat of a mystery.
Luis Suárez netted 38 goals across all competitions for Sporting last season but is still seeking his first goal in this World Cup – he assisted the winner against Ghana.
“There is a legendary chocolate brand based in B.C. called Purdy’s that you should check out! It rivals the Swiss confections, IMHO. As for coffee, I’ll take a hard pass – far too bitter for my palate, and I have tried it in nearly all its forms and permutations!”
This is precisely the kind of response I was hoping for regarding my Vancouver-chocolate blind spot – thank you, leroadrunner.
“As for the match, I’m not sure who to cheer for here. Obviously I have a grudge against Switzerland for denying Canada home field, lol, but I’m also not happy with Colombia knocking out Ghana – too many quality African sides have been eliminated (looking at you, Senegal, Algeria, and now Egypt). I guess I will be a true neutral and hope for a fair and exciting match! While I eat my Purdy’s with a big, cool, glass of milk!”
Colombia’s previous two last-16 matches at the World Cup have been unforgettable. In 2014, it was James Rodríguez’s stunning chest and volley against Uruguay that earned him the Puskas Award. In 2018, Yerry Mina scored a dramatic late equaliser before Colombia was eliminated by England in a penalty shootout.
“I like coffee. I like chocolate. I like knockout football. I’ve come to the right place, haven’t I?”
Indeed, you have, Peter Oh. Vancouver is reputedly a city that appreciates coffee, but I’m relying on a Google AI overview to inform me. Not sure about chocolate, but who doesn’t enjoy it?
For those expecting to see David Ospina in goal for Colombia, you may be disappointed. The 37-year-old former Arsenal goalkeeper is no longer the starting option for his country, although he is on the bench.
Camilo Vargas has taken over as Colombia’s first-choice goalkeeper – at 37, he’s no newcomer, but he has managed to eclipse Ospina. Vargas plays his club football in Mexico and has a compelling backstory that includes witchcraft, curses, and a very spiritual mother-in-law. Read more in our player guide…
Colombia’s Journey to the Last 16
Group K – P3 W2 D1 L0 Won 3-1 against Uzbekistan, Mexico City Won 1-0 versus DR Congo, Guadalajara Drew 0-0 with Portugal, Miami
Last 32 Won 1-0 against Ghana, Kansas City
Top scorers: Daniel Muñoz 2, Luis Díaz, Jaminton Campaz, Jhon Arias 1
Top assist-makers: Luis Díaz, Juan Quintero, Gustavo Puerta, Juan Hernández, Luis Suárez 1
Switzerland’s Route to the Last 16
Group B – P3 W2 D1 L0 Drew 0-0 with Qatar, San Francisco Bay Area Won 4-1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Los Angeles Won 2-1 against Canada, Vancouver
Last 32 Won 2-0 against Algeria, Vancouver
Top scorers: Johan Manzambi 3, Breel Embolo, Rubén Vargas 2
Top assist-makers: Breel Embolo, Johan Manzambi 2, Rubén Vargas 1
There’s no need for me to tell you who the key players are… although Manzambi is absent today. Milan’s Ardon Jashari starts in his place.
Iván Bartón is the referee who gained notoriety for sending Miguel Almirón off for covering his mouth during the group stage, and that’s at least something to anticipate if we encounter a VAR review.
Both teams feature a veteran Rodriguez in their line-up, with Ricardo at left-back for Switzerland and James retaining his spot for Colombia after his halftime substitution in the previous round against Ghana.
Switzerland (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Rieder, Jashari, Ndoye; Embolo. Subs: Mvogo, Keller, Muheim, Widmer, Sow, Fassnacht, Vargas, Comert, Okafor, Amdouni, Amenda, Itten.
Colombia (4-3-3): Vargas; Muñoz, Sánchez, Lucumí, Mojica; Puerta, Lerma, J Arias; Rodríguez, Suárez, Díaz. Subs: Ospina, Montero, S Arias, Castano, Rios, Carrascal, Cordoba, Mina, Portilla, Ditta, Hernández, Quintero, Campaz, Machado, Gómez.
Referee: Iván Bartón (El Salvador)
Team news will be released shortly, but one player who definitely won’t feature this afternoon in Vancouver is Johan Manzambi. The standout performer for Switzerland in this tournament, with three goals and two assists, has been sidelined with a knee injury. Michel Aebischer and Luca Jaquez are also unfit to play.
‘Yellow fever’ has reached Vancouver! After Mexico City, Guadalajara, Miami, and Kansas City, the influx of Colombian fans has now arrived at its northernmost point.
José Orlando Asencio has been engaging with some of them, including a family traveling across the States in a minivan…
Argentina awaits the winners in Saturday’s quarter-final in Kansas City after executing a stunning late comeback against Egypt, with Lionel Messi scoring one and assisting another before Enzo Fernández netted the stoppage-time winner.
Scott Murray managed to keep everything together…
And Ed Aarons has captured the essence beautifully…
Welcome to the final match of the World Cup’s last 16 – not much has transpired, has it? Everything has gone smoothly thus far for Switzerland and Colombia, who both topped their groups and advanced through the last 32 without much difficulty. Switzerland is eager to break through a barrier that has often eluded them – reaching a World Cup quarter-final. Since their participation in the last eight during the 1954 home tournament, they have failed to surpass this hurdle five times and were eliminated at this stage in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
On the other hand, Colombia aims to replicate the achievements of their 2014 squad, featuring a few familiar faces. James Rodríguez serves as their captain but has struggled to make a significant impact in this tournament. Their run 12 years ago ended at the hands of hosts Brazil, and a coveted quarter-final match against Argentina on Saturday is within reach. As always, their fans have turned out in large numbers.
This match also marks the conclusion of Canada’s role in this World Cup, with Vancouver Stadium hosting its final game of the tournament.
Kick-off is scheduled for 1pm local time, 4pm EST, 9pm BST, and 6am AEST. Let the match begin.
- World Cup 2026
- World Cup
- Switzerland
- Colombia
