Colombia manager Néstor Lorenzo said his side deserved more in the 90 minutes after bowing out of the Fifa World Cup 2026 with a Round of 16 defeat to Switzerland on penalties.
Colombia controlled more of the possession and had more shots on target but were made to rue a series of missed scoring opportunities. Substitute Jaminton Campaz squandered the clearest chance of the match when he blazed a shot over the bar with only goalkeeper Gregor Kobel to beat late in the game.
With the scores locked at 0-0 after 120 minutes, Ruben Vargas converted the decisive spot kick as Switzerland advanced by beating Colombia 4-3 on penalties. The Swiss will now face Argentina in the quarter-finals.
“We should have scored,” Lorenzo said after the match.
“We were aware that this was going to be a tactical, pretty tight match. I believe we deserved a little more in the 90 minutes because of our intentions.”
The Argentine manager said fatigue forced Colombia to alter their system as the match wore on, with Campaz replacing Jhon Arias in the 66th minute to provide a greater attacking threat.
“It’s of my interest that my team at least makes attempts on goal,” he said. “But you pay for those mistakes. In the last World Cup qualifying round against Venezuela and Bolivia we scored nine goals.
“These guys play in the top leagues. They are top players. Sometimes you score, sometimes you don’t.”
Lorenzo also praised the standard of goalkeeping throughout the tournament, saying fine margins had often separated teams.
“The level they have shown during this World Cup has been amazing,” he said.
Striker Luis Suárez lamented Colombia’s elimination, insisting they had been capable of advancing further in the tournament.
“I think this national team was destined for better things,” said Suárez, who failed to score in five World Cup matches.
“I just want to thank the whole country and everyone who filled the stadium here. Let’s hope this is a major turning point, because what we showed at this World Cup has to be viewed in a positive light.”
Meanwhile, Swiss president Guy Parmelin on Wednesday hailed Switzerland’s “historic” achievement in reaching the football World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954. For viewers in the Alpine nation, the last-16 match in Canada finished shortly before 1am on Wednesday, triggering car horns, cowbells and fireworks long into the night.
“Congratulations to the entire team and all the staff for this historic result!” Parmelin said on X, in a video from Mexico City, wearing a Switzerland scarf and his red Switzerland: Great since 1291 baseball cap.
“I enjoyed it; it was tense. And now it’s the first step towards the final. All the best for the last two matches before the final!”
Supporters erupted at a fanzone in Nyon, in western Switzerland, where European football’s governing body Uefa have their headquarters.
“I thought I was going to have a heart attack several times,” one woman in a Switzerland jersey said, amid the raucous scenes.
“It was tense from start to finish, but still it was awesome!” said one male supporter.
Another added: “We were stressed the whole time … we’ve lost our voices, but it was historic! Incredible!”
Switzerland’s only other World Cup quarter-final came when they hosted the tournament in 1954 — and produced what still stands as an all-time record match. | AFP
