Switzerland booked a place in the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in more than seven decades after Ruben Vargas converted the decisive penalty in a 4-3 shootout win over Colombia following a goalless draw on Tuesday.
The Swiss will now take on defending champions Argentina on Saturday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Argentina earlier defeated Egypt 3-2 to secure its quarterfinal berth.
Switzerland had not reached the last eight of a World Cup since hosting the tournament in 1954. The team was also without young midfielder Johan Manzambi, who suffered an injury during training on Monday.
Vargas, who has scored twice in the tournament, had also left Monday's training session early but came on during stoppage time at the end of regulation before converting the winning penalty.
In the shootout, Colombia defender Davinson Sánchez struck the crossbar with his penalty, while Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel denied Cucho Hernández to seal victory.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino was among the spectators at BC Place, where a sellout crowd of 52,497, mostly dressed in Colombia's yellow colours, created a vibrant atmosphere.
"They had the crowd on their side, so it was a tough game for us," Kobel said. "We know we had some stretches of the game where we had to defend and stay strong mentally. Obviously we had a few players missing so, yeah, it was a big challenge for us."
Colombia had failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Their best recent performance came in 2014, when they reached the quarterfinals in Brazil after beating Uruguay in the round of 16 before losing 2-1 to the host nation.
"The dream was enormous," Colombia midfielder John Arias said. "The country showed us that it believed in us, that it lived every moment with us, and I think that only makes the pain even greater."
Switzerland had reached the round of 16 in each of the previous three World Cups but had been unable to progress further when the tournament featured 32 teams.
"We worked very hard, and now we have this opportunity," Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said. "This is going to be a very interesting matchup from our point of view. We will try to compete against the reigning champions and it's going to be amazing. Switzerland against Argentina in a quarterfinal. I am so excited. I think that I need maybe a couple of hours more or another day to process what just happened, and then tomorrow we will start focusing on Argentina."
The match was closely contested, with Switzerland relying on its organised and disciplined approach while Colombia played a more physical and attacking game. The Swiss enjoyed a slight advantage in possession.
Manzambi, the 20-year-old Freiburg midfielder who has scored three goals in the World Cup, missed the match after emerging as one of the tournament's breakout performers. Switzerland were also without Luca Jaquez and midfielder Michel Aebischer.
Colombia created the first clear opportunity in the 21st minute when Gustavo Puerta's long-range effort was pushed away by Kobel.
Switzerland threatened in the 30th minute through Fabian Reider, whose powerful strike was punched clear by goalkeeper Camilo Vargas. Minutes later, Vargas made another important save to deny Dan Ndoye.
Reider came close again in the 52nd minute when his free kick curled around the wall but hit the side netting.
During the first period of extra time, Jhon Lucumi's header struck the crossbar as Colombia increased the pressure on the Swiss defence.
"I don't think you can overstate what a huge success this is — for us, for this team, for Switzerland, for such a small country. To be among the top eight teams in the world is incredible," Kobel said. "It's an unbelievable feeling. I'm incredibly proud."
Colombia and Switzerland had previously met at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, where Los Cafeteros claimed a 2-0 victory in the group stage.