Colombia exits the World Cup after Campaz's missed chance

Jaminton Campaz let slip the goal that would have taken the Colombia national team into the quarter‑finals on July 7 2026, when his shot hit the crossbar in the 114th minute of extra‑time against Switzerland in Vancouver. The 0‑0 draw went to penalties, where the Swiss won 4‑3 and sealed Colombia's elimination.

What happened in the 114th minute?

In the second half of extra‑time, Granit Xhaka mis‑cleared and the ball lay loose in front of the net. Campaz, a fresh substitute, outran the defense and faced goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who had rushed out to narrow the angle. The striker chose to shoot over the keeper’s body; the power was too great and the ball struck the crossbar, wasting the clearest chance of the match.

How did the rest of the game unfold?

Before the error, Colombia had imposed a high press under coach Néstor Lorenzo. Gustavo Puerta enjoyed a prime opportunity in the 21st minute, saved by Kobel, and Camilo Vargas made a crucial stop at the 30th minute against Fabian Rieder. In the second half, Luis Suárez also missed a clear chance after a defensive foul. Inefficiency forced the tie to be decided by penalties, where Rubén Vargas scored the decisive spot‑kick.

Aftermath and what’s next?

Campaz’s miss sparked thousands of reactions on social media, questioning Colombia’s luck and the youngster’s ability to finish in high‑pressure moments. The team ends its campaign with a recent form of 3 wins, 2 draws and 0 losses (WWDDW), still on a two‑game winning streak. The last official result was a 3‑0 victory over Australia on November 19 2025. Additionally, midfielder J. Córdoba remains sidelined, limiting squad options for upcoming friendlies. Coach Lorenzo will need to assess tactical and mental adjustments before the next phase of Copa América 2027 qualification.