Half-time in Vancouver and it remains goalless between Switzerland and Colombia, with a quarter-final place – and a meeting with Argentina – on the line.
Granit Xhaka’s Swiss side reached the last 16 after beating Algeria 2-0, following a group stage in which they beat co-hosts Canada, thrashed Bosnia & Herzegovina, and drew with Qatar. Colombia, meanwhile, topped a group containing Portugal, DR Congo and Uzbekistan, drawing with Cristiano Ronaldo’s side, before edging past Ghana in the previous round.
“Switzerland and Colombia played out a goalless first half in Vancouver, with a quarter-final clash against Argentina on the line.”
The winner will face Argentina, who earlier today staged a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2.
The match at BC Place began cautiously, with neither side willing to take risks. Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas was called into action to deny Fabian Rieder’s low drive, while at the other end, Colombia’s Luis Diaz was denied by a superb challenge as both teams looked dangerous on the break.
A moment of levity came before kick-off when Swiss manager Murat Yakin dressed as “a 1980s Colombian bad guy from the Miami Vice TV series”, according to a reader.
As the first half wore on, the game failed to produce a clear opening. “Neither side is exactly in a rush here, and it’s starting to feel like both will settle for a draw at half-time,” noted one report. The referee blew the whistle after three minutes of added time, with the scoreboard still blank.
The second half will determine who faces the defending champions – and whether they can replicate the drama Argentina produced earlier today.