2
In Vancouver, both teams produced clean sheets in Fantasy as Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties to reach their first World Cup quarter-final since the 1954 tournament.
This means that highly owned Daniel Muñoz And Luis Diaz missing, and Swiss talent Johan Manzambi ($5.6 million) may not have time to recover from injury in time for the meeting with Argentina.
We reflect on this game in our Scout Notes, which features match statistics from the World Cup Toolkit page.
SWITZERLAND – COLOMBIA 0:0 (PENS 4:3)
- Tackle Bonus: Arias
- Save bonus: Kobel
- Top scorers: Male (10), Lucumi, Mojica, Acanji, R. Rodriguez, Elvedi (all 9), Sanchez (8), Muñoz (7), C. Vargas (7)
TEAM STATISTICS
PLAYER STATISTICS
SCOUT’S NOTES
- Switzerland made two changes in the round of 16. Manzambi and Ruben Vargas ($6.8 million) allowed Ardon Jashari ($5.2 million) and Fabian Rieder ($6.2 million) for starters. Rivals Colombia brought Luis Suarez for John Cordoba ahead.
- The matches in recent days have been either incredible or boring, and that’s the latter. There was just one shot on target in the second half, which meant both teams combined for 0.70 expected goals (xG). This result, compared to the rest of the 90 minutes, was the lowest of all matches.
- So, there’s not much to report on any action other than an acknowledgment that a host of Swiss and Colombian defense assets have successfully secured a clean slate. The South Americans conceded just once during their five-game trip, although they scored just two of their last 79 shots.
- Boosting those lockout opportunities was the absence of Manzambi and Vargas, which robbed Switzerland of the five goals and three assists it had collected over the last few weeks. At least the latter made a cameo appearance in extra time. He eventually scored the winning penalty, beating his Colombian namesake.
- As for Manzambi, his prospects for reaching the quarter-finals do not look very bright at the moment. But we hope that Murat Yakin will say more in the coming days.
“Until this morning, we still had hope. But I don’t think you can recover from such an injury in such a short time. Fortunately, he is not in pain. We’ll see what happens in the next day or two.”.– head coach of the Swiss national team Murat Yakin
- Taking place in British Columbia, the yellow jerseys’ domination of the stadium certainly made Vancouver feel like home. Coffee producers. Gustavo Puertaan extreme attempt was required Gregor Kobel ($4.7 million) are diving to expand it. This, and a big event for Reeder, were the only noteworthy moments of the first half. The Swiss struck their second – and last – shot on target in the 32nd minute. Just before the hour mark, Kobel had a half-chance from Luis Diaz.
- In fact, the biggest chance came in stoppage time when Dan Ndoye ($6.8 million) from Jibril Sow($6.1 million) shoots the ball from a tight angle, clearing the ball beyond the far post.
- However, Colombia provided some spark in extra time. Corner met by central defender John Lucumi and hit the frame of the goal as Luis Diaz’s later shot lacked power and quality as the pass went slightly behind him. Replace Jaminton Campas saved a huge attempt in the 115th minute, pouncing on Granit Xhaka($6.2 million) but then went over the crossbar.
- Looking at how Argentina only edged out Cape Verde and Egypt, there are definitely some weaknesses that the Swiss will be looking to exploit. Fancy investment in defense is not recommended, but their forwards can look forward to their chances of breaking through a defense that has conceded a total of four goals to Cape Verde and Egypt. Question: who? Rotation in attacking midfield positions is common, while Manzambi remains a fitness issue. Ndoye started every match until the first leg – and that one benching came as Switzerland had already exited the group stage. The Nottingham Forest resident is his country’s top scorer at the World Cup (13). Bril Embolo ($7.5 million) remains the most productive player in the starting lineup, as he has never been benched. His streak of four consecutive counter attacks ended only in the match with Colombia.
