Switzerland and Colombia played a tight match and the outcome was decided on penalties
The 0-0 left a closely matched contest throughout, with very few scoring chances for either side. In the penalty shootout, Switzerland prevailed 4-3 after a duel of fine margins.
Switzerland and Colombia drew 0-0 at the BC Place and the tie was decided 4-3 on penalties in Switzerland's favor. In a World Cup — Round of 16 clash defined by parity, the numbers show a match of scarce attacking output and a minimal difference in almost everything.
Tactical read
The statistical snapshot shows a very tight encounter. Switzerland had 49% possession and Colombia 51%, a tiny gap that confirms neither side managed to control the tempo for long. There was little action in shots as well: Switzerland finished with 2 shots and 2 on target, while Colombia ended with 5 shots and just 1 on target.
That points to a match with very few truly dangerous attacks. Looking at what each team produced, the gap was narrow and not enough to break the 0-0: Switzerland generated chances worth 0.1 and Colombia 0.3. The data reinforces the sense of a tight, scrappy duel, with no sustained attacking volume and very little margin for error in either box.
The formation setup also helps explain the game: Switzerland lined up in a 4-2-3-1 and Colombia in a 4-4-1-1. Beyond the tactical shape, the match played out as a very even contest, with few clear chances and low shot volume on both sides. The final result fits that picture: neither team did enough in open play to break the deadlock.
The standout players
The best ratings from the match were very close and reflect just how little separated the sides on the pitch.
- Gregor Kobel (Switzerland): 7.2
- Granit Xhaka (Switzerland): 7.0
- J. Mojica (Colombia): 7.0
Kobel was the highest-rated player on the night with 7.2 in a match where Switzerland barely allowed much volume at goal. Xhaka, with 7.0, also ranked among the most notable for the Swiss side. For Colombia, the top score went to J. Mojica, also 7.0, in a team that maintained parity in possession but could not turn that slight edge into greater attacking threat.
Turning point
Since the match ended 0-0, the decisive moment did not come in open play but in the penalty shootout, where Switzerland won 4-3. That outcome ended up tipping a tie that, based on the numbers, had already been showing a very clear balance.
Closing thoughts
The data leave a clear verdict: this was a very low-output matchup, with few shots and virtually no difference in possession or chances created. The 0-0 sums up what happened over the 90 minutes well, and penalties ended up settling a game that never had a clear dominant side.
