Gregor Kobel
Switzerland's goalkeeper, who saved a penalty from Cucho Hernandez in the World Cup shootout win over Colombia.
Last refreshed: 8 July 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for Gregor Kobel
Saved Cucho Hernandez's penalty in the shootout
2026 FIFA World Cup: Switzerland edge Colombia in a shootoutWho is Gregor Kobel?
Why did Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties?
Who does Switzerland play in the World Cup quarter-final?
Background
Gregor Kobel saved Cucho Hernandez's spot-kick as Switzerland won a penalty shootout 4-3 against Colombia in Vancouver on 7 July, after the round-of-16 tie finished goalless through 120 minutes, sending Switzerland through to the World Cup quarter-final against Argentina in Kansas City on 12 July.
He started the tournament as Switzerland's goalkeeper, and his stop on Cucho Hernandez was the decisive save of the shootout, with Ruben Vargas then converting Switzerland's winning penalty. Colombia had chances to end the tie in normal time but neither side broke through, forcing the shootout that Kobel's save ultimately settled.
The result completes the last-eight field and keeps Switzerland alive against a heavily fancied Argentina side, with Kobel's shot-stopping now the story of how they got there. A goalkeeper's individual form in a single shootout has decided the difference between elimination and a quarter-final place.
