Switzerland are through to the World Cup 2026 quarterfinals after a 0-0 draw and a 4-3 shootout win over Colombia at BC Place in Vancouver. In a tense Round of 16 tie, Gregor Kobel stood tall for 120 minutes, then produced a key stop in the penalties. The Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper finished with three saves, two from inside the box, and kept a clean sheet in open play. On Sofascore, he earned a standout Sofascore Rating of 8.8 out of 10.

Shot-stopping that set the tone

Kobel’s handling and positioning were sharp from the start. He recorded three saves across the match, including two from inside the area, and kept his angles tidy. Per Sofascore data, he posted 0.4305 goals prevented, a sign he outperformed the average expectation on the shots faced. His keeper save value checked in at 0.8877, reflecting high-impact interventions. In a knockout match with little margin, those numbers matter.

He was assured in the air, winning two aerial duels and registering one good high claim. Switzerland’s No. 1 also contributed three clearances when needed. He added eight ball recoveries, reading second balls and loose touches well. Under pressure moments brought contact too, with the goalkeeper fouled twice. All of it fed into a clean sheet over 120 minutes that set up the shootout stage.

Composed distribution under World Cup pressure

With the ball, Kobel kept Switzerland calm and connected. He attempted 48 passes and completed 39, picking the safer option when the tempo called for it. In his own half he was near flawless, completing 35 of 36 passes. He also tried to stretch Colombia when space opened, hitting 9 of 18 long balls. Not every risk pass came off in the opposition half, where he went 4 of 12.

He managed 60 touches and carried the ball 12 times for roughly 75 meters. The total progression on those carries was 17.64 meters, efficient rather than expansive. That blend helped Switzerland reset shape and relieve pressure. For a knockout tie, that steady distribution is exactly what you want from your goalkeeper. It kept Colombia from pinning Switzerland back for long spells.

Penalty shootout moment

When it came to penalties, Kobel delivered one big contribution. Switzerland converted four of their kicks and won the shootout 4-3. Kobel made one penalty save, which proved decisive in a narrow margin. His approach was consistent, reading run-ups and trusting his first move. A single stop in a shootout often swings the tie.

The calm he carried into the shootout did not happen by chance after 120 minutes of focus. Shootouts bring noise and nerves, but his technique held up. On Sofascore, that moment helped cement his 8.8 Sofascore Rating. It neatly capped a complete goalkeeper display on the night.

How this fits his World Cup 2026 form

Kobel’s tournament body of work has been strong by any measure. Across five appearances and 480 minutes at World Cup 2026, he has two clean sheets and only three goals conceded. He has made 16 saves and posted 1.2091 goals prevented, a positive shot-stopping trend. His passing accuracy stands at 77.96 percent, with 22 accurate long balls and a 34.92 percent long-ball success rate. Add perfect success in both ground and aerial duels across the tournament.

Command of the box shows up too, with three high claims and three punches recorded. He has come off his line well, with four successful runs out from four attempts. Beyond the numbers, Kobel’s consistency gives Switzerland a steady platform. The 8.8 on Sofascore in Vancouver reflects that reliability when stakes rise. It also follows a Team of the Week appearance earlier in the competition, which tracks with his form curve.

Switzerland’s win in front of 52,497 fans in Vancouver had many small moments, but Kobel’s were among the most decisive. From routine stops to one shootout save, he did the core job and then some. For fans tracking every detail, Sofascore has the full match page, heat maps and the data that underline why an 8.8 felt right.