From player to pioneer: Murat Yakin ends Switzerland’s 72-year World Cup quarter-final drought

For 72 years, Switzerland waited. For 72 years, they watched, they hoped, they fell short. On a tense Tuesday evening at BC Place Stadium, Murat Yakin – a man who once wore the Swiss jersey with pride – finally ended the longest quarter-final drought in the nation’s football history.

Switzerland defeated Colombia 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a goalless 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, securing their first World Cup quarter-final appearance since they hosted the tournament in 1954. The victory sets up a mouth-watering last-eight clash with defending champions Argentina in Kansas City.

For Yakin, it was the crowning achievement of a managerial journey that began with scepticism and has now delivered a place in Swiss football folklore.

A Son of Basel, A Leader Forged

Born in Basel to Turkish parents, Yakin’s connection to Swiss football runs deep. As a player, he earned 49 caps for the national team between 1994 and 2004, wearing the armband on three occasions. A commanding centre-back who could also operate in midfield, he won five Swiss league titles – two with Grasshopper Club Zurich (1994-95, 1995-96) and three with FC Basel (2001-02, 2003-04, 2004-05) – establishing himself as one of the country’s most decorated defenders.

His elder brother Hakan, himself a 87-cap international with 20 goals, played alongside him at Basel and in the national team. Football, for the Yakin family, was never just a profession – it was a calling.

After hanging up his boots in 2006, Yakin transitioned into management, cutting his teeth in the Swiss league before a brief stint as assistant at Spartak Moscow. He won two Swiss championships with FC Basel as a coach before being handed the reins of the national team in August 2021, succeeding Vladimir Petkovic.

Building a Legacy, One Tournament at a Time

When Yakin took over, Switzerland were already a model of consistency – they had not missed a World Cup since 2002. But consistency in qualification had not translated into progress in the knockout rounds. The Swiss had been eliminated at the Round of 16 in 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Yakin set about changing that narrative.

At the 2022 World Cup, he guided Switzerland to the Round of 16. At UEFA EURO 2024, he went one better, leading the Nati to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history – pushing England all the way before losing 5-3 on penalties. That run, Yakin later reflected, reinforced the belief that Switzerland could compete with the very best.

Now, at the 2026 World Cup, he has delivered the ultimate breakthrough.

The Night History Was Made

The path to history was anything but smooth. Switzerland were dealt a major setback before kick-off when 20-year-old attacking sensation Johan Manzambi – their breakout star of the tournament with three goals and two assists – was ruled out after suffering a knee injury in training.

Without their creative spark, Switzerland adopted a patient, disciplined approach against a Colombia side that had conceded just once in the entire tournament. The match itself offered few clear-cut opportunities, with both goalkeepers producing important saves. Colombia came closest in the first half when Gustavo Puerta curled a superb effort from 18 yards, only for Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel to produce an outstanding full-stretch save.

Switzerland nearly snatched victory in stoppage time when Dan Ndoye burst into the area before dragging his low effort agonisingly wide of the far post. In extra time, Colombia defender Jhon Lucumí came within inches of breaking the deadlock, his powerful header crashing against the crossbar.

The match went to penalties. The shootout swung decisively in Switzerland’s favour when Davinson Sánchez struck the crossbar with Colombia’s second kick, before Kobel saved Cucho Hernández’s effort. Although Manuel Akanji blazed Switzerland’s fourth penalty over the bar, substitute Ruben Vargas – who had come on in second-half stoppage time – calmly stroked home the winning spot-kick into the bottom corner.

“It was just amazing, to see him smash that in. I was so relieved and happy,” Yakin said.

‘The Right Players at the Right Moment’

Yakin, true to his reputation as a tactical thinker, credited the victory to patient play and timely substitutions. Vargas, along with forwards Cedric Itten and Zeki Amdouni, refreshed the Swiss frontline after the 87th minute.

“It was difficult in the beginning but we stayed in it and showed great mentality,” Yakin said. “Then I brought on the right players at the right moment”.

The coach, who had spoken before the tournament with unwavering belief in his team, saw his faith rewarded. “We are getting into the flow and have to slowly process what has happened,” he reflected. “It was an unbelievable victory. We had to stay very patient but we put in a top performance today so I am very happy with my players”.

A Model of Consistency, Finally Rewarded

Switzerland are competing in their sixth consecutive World Cup – a remarkable achievement for a nation of just 8.7 million people. But progress beyond the Round of 16 had remained stubbornly out of reach – until now.

This is only the fourth World Cup quarter-final in Swiss history, following appearances in 1934, 1938 and 1954. The last of those, on home soil, ended in a famous 7-5 defeat to Austria – still the highest-scoring match in World Cup history. That was 72 years ago. Three generations of Swiss fans had never seen their team reach the last eight.

Until Yakin came along.

What Lies Ahead

Switzerland now face Argentina – the defending champions, fresh off their own dramatic comeback against Egypt – in Kansas City on Saturday. It is the kind of challenge Yakin has been preparing for.

“We’re a close-knit team and have been together for some time now,” he told FIFA before the tournament. “We have a lot of experienced players who play for big clubs and know what’s at stake”.

Figures such as Manuel Akanji, Gregor Kobel and captain Granit Xhaka provide a strong backbone both on and off the pitch. “As a coach, it’s great to have players of such calibre – in terms of their character, mentality and experience – who also take on a lot of responsibility,” Yakin explained.

A National Hero

Yakin’s contract was due to expire on completion of the 2026 World Cup. But whatever happens against Argentina, he has already secured his place in Swiss football history. The former defender who earned 49 caps and wore the armband has now delivered what no Swiss coach has managed in 72 years.

“It is very difficult for me to realise what we achieved today,” Vargas said after the match. He spoke for an entire nation.

For Yakin, the man from Basel who learned his trade on the pitch and honed it on the touchline, the journey from player to pioneer is now complete. Switzerland are in the World Cup quarter-finals – and they have their countryman to thank.