Switzerland break their World Cup shootout curse, reach the last eight for the first time since 1954 — Messi's Argentina next

A goalless game decided from twelve yards

Switzerland and Colombia could not be separated over 120 minutes in the round of 16, so the tie went to penalties. That is where the Swiss have historically fallen short at World Cups. This time they did not. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel pushed away Cucho Hernandez's effort, Davinson Sanchez rattled the crossbar, and Ruben Vargas buried the decisive kick to send Switzerland through 4-3.

First quarterfinal in 72 years

The last time Switzerland reached a World Cup quarterfinal was 1954, on home soil. Getting there this time also meant beating a psychological block: the Swiss had never won a World Cup shootout before, and English-language outlets framed Sunday's win as breaking a penalty "curse." For a country that has often exited in the round of 16, the last eight is unfamiliar ground.

Quiet, hard to break down

Switzerland have advanced without much noise. They topped their group unbeaten on seven points, including a 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, then edged Algeria 2-0 in the round of 32 through Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye before grinding out the goalless draw against Colombia. In the knockout rounds they have not conceded in regulation. Murat Yakin's side is built on discipline rather than flair: captain Granit Xhaka, 33, is at his fourth straight World Cup, with Manchester City's Manuel Akanji marshalling the defense in front of Kobel.

Now the defending champions

Waiting in the quarterfinal are Argentina, the holders, chasing the first back-to-back World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. Lionel Messi leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals in five matches, and the quarterfinal is at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium — the same ground where he scored a hat-trick in the opener. Argentina have looked beatable — they trailed and came back to win 3-2 against both Cape Verde and Egypt — but the odds still sit firmly with the champions, and Switzerland's task is to see how far a disciplined defense can push them.

What it means for readers in Japan

Japan's tournament ended in the round of 32 against Brazil, so the last eight is now a spectator's bracket. For anyone looking for a second team to follow, Switzerland offer a compact, defense-first story that Japanese media has largely skipped. The match is convenient too: Argentina vs Switzerland kicks off Sunday, July 12 at 10:00 JST in Kansas City — daytime viewing in Japan. Can a low block contain the tournament's top scorer? That is the question the morning of the 12th will answer.