Switzerland vs Colombia: World Cup last 16: Prediction, start time and news
Colombia, the World Cup’s dangerous outsiders, take on Switzerland in Vancouver for a place in the quarterfinals. Four wins to go. How can your team
Colombia, the World Cup’s dangerous outsiders, take on Switzerland in Vancouver for a place in the quarterfinals. Four wins to go. How can your team reach the final and win the World Cup 2026? Click here to find out. Who: Switzerland vs Colombia What: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16 Where: BC Place Vancouver, Vancouver, Canada When: Tuesday, July 7, at 1pm (20:00 GMT) How to follow: We will have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:45 GMT before our live text commentary stream. The World Cup’s round of 16 concludes on Tuesday in Vancouver, as Switzerland and Colombia face off, with both aiming to match their best performances. Colombia have established themselves as dangerous outsiders at the tournament, right from topping their group to advancing into the last-16, all while conceding just one goal. The South Americans’ sturdy defence, though, will face a tricky test against Switzerland, whose breakout star Johan Manzambi has caught global attention. Playing at the same venue for a third consecutive time, Switzerland has a slight advantage heading into the game. But with Colombia boasting a balance of attacking flair and disciplined defence, the Swiss will have very little space and opportunity to exploit. Al Jazeera tells you everything about Switzerland vs Colombia How did Switzerland and Colombia reach the round of 16? Switzerland topped Group B with seven points, beating Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and drawing with Qatar. They sealed a 2-0 victory over Algeria in the round of 32, bringing up their first World Cup knockout victory since 1938.
Colombia topped Group K with seven points, beating Uzbekistan and DR Congo, and holding Portugal to a draw. In the round of 32, they beat Ghana 1-0. Swiss youngster Manzambi is the man to watch Switzerland’s 20-year-old midfielder Manzambi has arguably been their trump card at the tournament, thanks to his three goals and two assists. Though he started his debut World Cup off the bench in the first game, the youngster has since become an integral part of the Swiss attack. From setting up chances to finishing them off in style, the swashbuckling Manzambi played an all-round role for his national side. His breakout performance in the tournament prompted coach Murat Yakin to call him “a very precious and important player”. “He has been constantly improving his performance. He is a team player. He’s not only a player that you like to watch … he is an all-rounder. He has many qualities and there is still so much potential in him,” Yakin added. The Swiss attacking quartet of Manzambi, Breel Embolo, Dan Ndoye and Ruben Vargas have been in fine form, scoring eight of their team’s nine goals between them. Should they click again and guide the team to victory, it would see Switzerland through to the quarterfinals for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 1954 – and their fourth overall (also 1934 and 1938). Colombia coach praises his ‘versatile’ team Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo emphasised his “versatile” team’s ability to adapt to situations, as they look to follow in the footsteps of the their 2014 Brazil World Cup performance that resulted in the nation’s best-ever placing in the last-eight of the tournament.
The BriefWire