Key events<\/p>\n
\u201cI love how Swiss manager Murat Yakin has got into the theme of today\u2019s match by dressing as a 1980s Colombian bad guy from the Miami Vice tv series,\u201d writes Matt Leonard.<\/p>\n
Classy. Photograph: David Ramos\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a>Half-time: Switzerland 0-0 Colombia<\/p>\n No goals but a decent game. Both teams have had spells. Whether it opens up any more than this is another question \u2026 the stakes are high.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45+2 min Akanji is not happy as Switzerland<\/a> refuse to swing a free-kick into the box and it ends up out for a throw.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45 min Just the three minutes added. The ball has been in play a lot.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.45 EDT<\/p>\n 44 min D\u00edaz drives inside, feeds it out to Mu\u00f1oz on the right. The cross is low, Su\u00e1rez heeds a shout from D\u00edaz behind him and dummies it. Freuler gets there just in time to divert it out for a corner. Mojica sprints back to stop a Switzerland<\/a> counter.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 42 min Jashari tries to pick out Xhaka with a pass in behind the Colombia back four. The Switzerland<\/a> captain doesn\u2019t look best pleased as the ball bobbles through out of his reach.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 40 min Akanji has his pocket picked on the edge of his own area by Rodr\u00edguez. He thinks about shooting from range and instead lays it off to Su\u00e1rez, who dummies and then has a shot blocked. Another ball goes into the box and D\u00edaz pulls out of a bicycle kick as Zakaria\u2019s head beats him to it.<\/p>\n VAR overturns a Colombia<\/a> corner after replays showed it came off Arias. It\u2019s not a popular decision.<\/p>\n Luis Diaz attempts the spectacular but Zakaria heads the ball away. Photograph: Gregory Bull\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.49 EDT<\/p>\n 38 min Colombia<\/a> are looking for D\u00edaz down the left nearly every time they break forward. This time Su\u00e1rez\u2019s pass is overhit \u2013 he was fouled too.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 36 min Rodr\u00edguez feeds a wonderful ball through to Mu\u00f1oz near the penalty area but the right-back can\u2019t get there before the Switzerland<\/a> defender.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cNoticed any trends on music played to hide the boos during hydration breaks?\u201d writes Cian Mulligan. \u201cSeems to me they always\/only play the Macarena if there is a Spanish-speaking team playing.\u201d<\/p>\n Any time I notice it, it\u2019s Bon Jovi.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 34 min Rodr\u00edguez pings another ball into the Switzerland<\/a> box. D\u00edaz goes down with Elvedi giving him a mild cuddle. Referee Bart\u00f3n is not moved.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 33 min The drinks break has helped Switzerland<\/a> a lot. Ndoye is next to test Vargas. His shot is low and across the goalkeeper, who gets down smartly to trap it. Up the other end, D\u00edaz tries to feed a shot into the far corner but it\u2019s blocked. Rodr\u00edguez did really well in a tussle with Xhaka in midfield.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 31 min Important save from Vargas! Akanji finds Rieder in plenty of space on the half-turn. He bundles the ball into the Colombia<\/a> box and shoots low, with Vargas able to bat it away. Decent chance.<\/p>\n Fabian Rieder shoots but is denied by Vargas. Photograph: Carl Recine\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.33 EDT<\/p>\n 29 min Xhaka skips past Lerma in midfield. The Colombia<\/a> midfielder duly brings him down. An unmarked Jashari almost latches on to a ball into the Colombia box, which will have jangled a few nerves in the majority of the crowd.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.41 EDT<\/p>\n 27 min Everybody is refreshed (under the roof) and we are back under way.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.27 EDT<\/p>\n A reminder that the winners of this will play Argentina in Kansas City on Saturday night after this happened earlier \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 23 min Hydration break time, still greeted by boos, which are drowned out by the Macarena.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.34 EDT<\/p>\n 22 min Good save from Kobel! Lerma steps in on a loose ball some 30 yards out and it\u2019s fed to Puerta. The midfielder cuts inside on his right foot and bends a shot towards the far corner which Kobel pushes out away at full stretch. Some action!<\/p>\n Gregor Kobel makes the save from Puerta. Photograph: Abbie Parr\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.28 EDT<\/p>\n 20 min Switzerland<\/a> dally on the ball in their own box after some confident Colombia possession. Kobel takes no chances and gets it launched.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 18 min Zakaria shields the ball out for a goal-kick under pressure from the tireless Mojica. Xhaka and Rodriguez get their wires crossed and the latter\u2019s pass down the left rolls out for a throw-in.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 16 min A fine backheel from Su\u00e1rez sets Colombia<\/a> on their way. Elvedi wins the tussle with D\u00edaz as Rodr\u00edguez tries to play the ball through on the counter.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.16 EDT<\/p>\n 14 min Elvedi gets bored of Su\u00e1rez and clatters into D\u00edaz on the left wing after the Bayern winger knocks the ball past him. He escapes a yellow. Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s delivery is incredibly enticing but Lucum\u00ed can\u2019t get there.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 12 min We get our first TV shot of Gianni Infantino in the stands. He is looking exceptionally glum today. On the pitch, Su\u00e1rez and Elvedi continue their personal duel with a couple of aerial challenges.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 10 min Every turnover of possession in Colombia\u2019s favour is greeted by a huge roar. After Embolo drives at their defence, Colombia enjoy a bit of possession in the Switzerland<\/a> half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 8 min Ndoye has a first-time swing at goal from the left of the penalty area but the flag goes up as Vargas gathers his shot easily. Su\u00e1rez leaves one on Elvedi after the ball is gone. Bit feisty.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 6 min The volume rises as Jhon Arias carries the ball into the Switzerland<\/a> half. Zakaria gets back to poke his cross out for a corner before D\u00edaz can reach it. Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s corner is cleared and Ndoye wins a free-kick.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 4 min Zakaria makes a driving run down the Switzerland<\/a> right but Mojica is able to clear. Freuler gives Mojica a knee in the back in a challenge on halfway.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 2 min It\u2019s a bit of a frantic start. Zakaria wriggles away from D\u00edaz on halfway but S\u00e1nchez pumps the ball out for a throw-in. The boos and whistles when Switzerland<\/a> are on the ball are, well, loud. Goalkeeper Kobel skews a ball out of play, to more cheers.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Kick-off<\/p>\n Colombia get us under way after the countdown.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n James Rodr\u00edguez and Granit Xhaka shake hands at the toss. The officials are from El Salvador.<\/p>\n \u201cI would put my money on what could be worst match in the Round of 16 so far, surpassing the France v Paraguay game,\u201d writes Ahmad bin Faisal. Stay tuned!<\/p>\n The scene is set in Vancouver. Photograph: Luke Hales\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.01 EDT<\/p>\n The Switzerland<\/a> anthem is a mere prelude to the Colombia one. Daniel Mu\u00f1oz belts it out, eyes closed. There are some tears in the crowd.<\/p>\n Kick-off is next.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Vancouver Stadium is unsurprisingly largely yellow, with a few patches of red (although they could be Canada shirts as well). There is an almighty roar as Luis D\u00edaz is beamed on to the big screen.<\/p>\n Colombia fans outnumber the Swiss in Vancouver. Photograph: Leonardo Ramirez\/Eyepix Group\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a016.03 EDT<\/p>\n We\u2019ll park the chocolate chat \u2013 this is the sort of exposure Canadian businesses wanted from hosting the World Cup, surely \u2013 with kick-off approaching. Switzerland\u2019s Johan Manzambi is sitting on the bench in a knee brace \u2013 he\u2019ll play no part.<\/p>\n The mega player walk-out is upon us \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAs a Brit & naturalized American who lives in Alaska, Vancouver has been the closest World Cup<\/a> venue, albeit a 2,200 mile drive away – slightly further than London to Ankara,\u201d writes Mike from Girdwood, Alaska.<\/p>\n \u201cThe US is a huge country! On the positive side, whatever time the kickoff, it\u2019s always during daylight!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cNot a huge chocolate fan, but I can also vouch for Purdy\u2019s — their Sweet Georgia Browns (a sort of salted caramel\/pecans\/thick chocolate cluster) are the bomb. Not cheap, mind you,\u201d writes David Marriott from Vancouver Island.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cFrustrating when I hear people make the comment that Colombia<\/a> are lacking a proper striker, considering Jhon Duran didn\u2019t even receive a call up to the selection! What\u2019s the story there?\u201d asks Carlos.<\/p>\n Dur\u00e1n was named in the 55-man preliminary list but was left out of the final squad after being granted a leave of absence by Zenit in May. The former Aston Villa striker joined the Russian club on loan from Al-Nassr in February but has played very little since. So, it\u2019s a bit of a mystery.<\/p>\n Luis Su\u00e1rez scored 38 times in all competitions for Sporting last season but is still waiting for his first goal at this World Cup<\/a> \u2013 he set up the winner against Ghana.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThere is a legendary chocolate brand based in B.C. called Purdy\u2019s<\/a> that you should check out! It rivals the Swiss confections, IMHO. As for coffee, I\u2019ll take a hard pass – far too bitter for my palate, and I have tried it in nearly all its forms and permutations!\u201d<\/p>\n This is exactly the kind of response to my Vancouver-chocolate blind spot that I wanted in my inbox \u2013 thank you, leroadrunner.<\/p>\n \u201cAs for the match, I\u2019m not sure who to cheer for here. Obviously I have a grudge against Switzerland<\/a> for denying Canada home field, lol, but I\u2019m 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\u2019s with a big, cool, glass of milk!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Colombia\u2019s last two last-16 matches at the World Cup<\/a> have been memorable. In 2014, it was James Rodr\u00edguez\u2019s Puskas-winning chest and volley against Uruguay. In 2018, it was Yerry Mina\u2019s dramatic late equaliser before a penalty shootout defeat to England.<\/p>\n Any excuse \u2026<\/a><\/p>\n James Rodriguez and Luis Suarez warm up. Photograph: Alex Grimm\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.32 EDT<\/p>\n \u201cI like coffee. I like chocolate. I like knockout football. I\u2019ve come to the right place, haven\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n Yes you have, Peter Oh. Apparently Vancouver is a coffee-keen city too, but I\u2019m relying on a Google AI overview to tell me this. Not sure about chocolate, but who doesn\u2019t like chocolate?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n For those of you tuning in expecting to see David Ospina in goal for Colombia<\/a>, you will probably be disappointed. The 37-year-old former Arsenal keeper is no longer No 1 for his country, although he is on the bench.<\/p>\n Camilo Vargas is the first choice for Colombia these days \u2013 at 37, he\u2019s by no means a newcomer but has managed to supplant Ospina. Vargas plays his club football in Mexico and has quite the backstory \u2013 including witchcraft, curses and a very spiritual mother-in-law. Read more in our player guide \u2026<\/p>\n Camilo Vargas profile<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Colombia\u2019s route to the last 16<\/p>\n Group K \u2013 P3 W2 D1 L0 Last 32 Top scorers Top assist-makers Share<\/a><\/p>\n Switzerland\u2019s route to the last 16<\/p>\n Group B \u2013 P3 W2 D1 L0 Last 32 Top scorers Top assist-makers I don\u2019t think I need to tell you who the danger men are \u2026 although there is no Manzambi today. Milan\u2019s Ardon Jashari starts in his place.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.01 EDT<\/p>\n Iv\u00e1n Bart\u00f3n was the referee who came out with that booming voice when sending Miguel Almir\u00f3n off for covering his mouth in the group stage, by the way \u2026 and that is at least something to look forward to if we have a VAR review.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Lineups: James Rodr\u00edguez starts for Colombia<\/p>\n Both teams have a veteran Rodriguez in their XI, with Ricardo at left-back for Switzerland<\/a> and James retaining his place for Colombia after coming off at half-time in the previous round against Ghana.<\/p>\n Switzerland (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Rieder, Jashari, Ndoye; Embolo. Colombia (4-3-3): Vargas; Mu\u00f1oz, S\u00e1nchez, Lucum\u00ed, Mojica; Puerta, Lerma, J Arias; Rodr\u00edguez, Su\u00e1rez, D\u00edaz. Referee: Iv\u00e1n Bart\u00f3n (El Salvador)<\/p>\n Switzerland\u2019s Gregor Kobel, Cedric Itten, Christian Fassnacht and Michel Aebischer walk out in Vancouver. Photograph: Peter Klaunzer\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.11 EDT<\/p>\n Team news is coming up shortly but one man who definitely won\u2019t be involved this afternoon in Vancouver is Johan Manzambi. Switzerland\u2019s breakout star of this tournament \u2013 with three goals and two assists \u2013 has been ruled out with a knee injury. \u2060Michel Aebischer and Luca \u200bJaquez are also not fit to play.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Yellow fever\u2019 has reached Vancouver! After Mexico City, Guadalajara, Miami and Kansas City, the mass migration of Colombia<\/a> fans has reached its northernmost point.<\/p>\n Jos\u00e9 Orlando Asencio has been speaking to a few of them, including a family trekking across the States in a minivan \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Argentina await the winners in Saturday\u2019s quarter-final in Kansas City after producing a sensational late comeback against Egypt, with Lionel Messi scoring one and setting up another before Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez\u2019s stoppage-time winner.<\/p>\n Scott Murray just about kept it all together \u2026<\/p>\n And Ed Aarons has summed it up nicely \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.33 EDT<\/p>\n Preamble<\/p>\n Hello and welcome to the final fixture of the World Cup\u2019s last 16 \u2013 not much has happened, eh? It\u2019s all gone smoothly so far for Switzerland<\/a> and Colombia, who topped their groups and progressed through the last 32 with a minimum of fuss. For Switzerland, they are looking to take the next step that so often eludes them \u2013 reaching a World Cup quarter-final. Since they played in the last eight at their home tournament of 1954, they\u2019ve failed to clear this hurdle five times and were knocked out at this stage in 2014, 2018 and 2022.<\/p>\n As for Colombia<\/a>, they are out to emulate the class of 2014 \u2013 and still have a few of those faces hanging around. James Rodr\u00edguez is their captain but has struggled to make an impact at these finals. Their run 12 years ago was ended by hosts Brazil and no doubt a quarter-final date with Argentina on Saturday will be highly prized. Their fans, as always, have turned up in huge numbers.<\/p>\n The curtain comes down on Canada\u2019s involvement in this World Cup<\/a> too, with Vancouver Stadium hosting its final game of the tournament.<\/p>\n Kick-off is 1pm local time, 4pm EST, 9pm BST and 6am AEST. Let\u2019s go.<\/p>\n
Won 3-1 v Uzbekistan, Mexico City
Won 1-0 v DR Congo, Guadalajara
Drew 0-0 v Portugal, Miami<\/p>\n
Won 1-0 v Ghana, Kansas City<\/p>\n
Daniel Mu\u00f1oz 2
Luis D\u00edaz, Jaminton Campaz, Jhon Arias 1<\/p>\n
Luis D\u00edaz, Juan Quintero, Gustavo Puerta, Juan Hern\u00e1ndez, Luis Su\u00e1rez 1<\/p>\n
Drew 0-0 v Qatar, San Francisco Bay Area
Won 4-1 v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Los Angeles
Won 2-1 v Canada, Vancouver<\/p>\n
Won 2-0 v Algeria, Vancouver<\/p>\n
Johan Manzambi 3
Breel Embolo, Rub\u00e9n Vargas 2<\/p>\n
Breel Embolo, Johan Manzambi 2
Rub\u00e9n Vargas 1<\/p>\n
Subs: Mvogo, Keller, Muheim, Widmer, Sow, Fassnacht, Vargas, Comert, Okafor, Amdouni, Amenda, Itten.<\/p>\n
Subs: Ospina, Montero, S Arias, Castano, Rios, Carrascal, Cordoba, Mina, Portilla, Ditta, Hern\u00e1ndez, Quintero, Campaz, Machado, G\u00f3mez.<\/p>\n