That's the problem with expectation: it always leaves you disappointed. When you have spent days watching games with more twists than a Hitchcock thriller and goals aplenty, you assume you'll see a deluge every time you switch on.
But after the bedlam in Mexico City and the cliffhanger in Atlanta, came the attrition in Vancouver. Colombia against Switzerland was a fixture packed with intrigue, with plenty of subplots and great technique, but this wasn't in keeping with England v Mexico or Argentina against Egypt .
No, penalties were required to lance the tension that built up over 120 minutes. Both sides had chances, both goalkeepers had to make saves in normal time and extra time, while the woodwork also came into play, but in the end, there was an inevitability around the need for a shootout.
Ultimately, Switzerland came through, winning 4-3 on spot kicks. Colombia, who were heartbroken, were eliminated after Davinson Sánchez smashed his penalty off the bar and Cucho Hernández was denied by Gregor Kobel . Switzerland's prize is a date with Argentina in the last eight.
Colombian players lie dejected after losing the penalty shootout - Abbie Parr
Ruben Vargas was the man charged with sealing a place in the quarter-finals for Switzerland for the first time since 1954, way back when they were hosts, and he sent Camilo Vargas the wrong way, ensuring Manuel Akanji 's miss was incidental.
"I think this national team was destined for better things," said Colombia forward Luis Suárez . "Fortunately, God, football and life have brought us this far, and I simply want to thank the whole country and everyone who filled the stadium. This World Cup has to be viewed in a positive light."
Quite how Suárez, who ran himself to a standstill but couldn't find a breakthrough, could be so upbeat was something remarkable, as Luis Díaz and others sobbed. They will wonder how conceding one goal in 480 minutes in the tournament could lead to their elimination.
Colombia boast Latin flair and undoubted technical brilliance yet the bedrock of this campaign has been defensive excellence, with a sequence of clean sheets, three of them in succession after conceding in their opening defeat of Uzbekistan .
Switzerland, too, have been effectively stubborn. They conceded three in the group stages but never gave a whiff to Algeria when dismissing them from the last 32 and a red wall was more than robust enough to withstand whatever James Rodríguez and Díaz threw at them.
Ruben Vargas' penalty sealed a place for Switzerland in the quarter-finals - Anadolu
It still comes as a surprise when you see Rodríguez playing for Colombia. His club career never really took off after spells at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich shortly after the 2014 World Cup but his talent is beyond doubt.
He was at the fore of everything Colombia tried to conjure but it was one of those situations where it was all "nearly but not quite" – each pass was just a yard too far for someone, each shot lacked the right direction.
That was also true for Switzerland, who chiselled out the best chances with Fabian Rieder forcing a good save from Colombian keeper Vargas in the first half and Dan Ndoye dragging a chance wide in the closing minutes of the second period. No wonder extra time was needed.
And the tension continued. Swiss substitute Zeki Amdouni forced a fabulous save from Vargas shortly after Jhon Lucumí struck the bar for Colombia and Jaminton Campaz had Gregor Kobel lunging across his line to save a dipping effort before the final act.
"I think we have a special generation," said captain Granit Xhaka , who scored Switzerland's first penalty. "We've been waiting a long time for a group like this. We, the more experienced players, are being pushed by the younger ones, and at the same time we have to lead by example.
"We do it every single day and every single game. We try to pass on our experience, but above all the mentality that, even as a small nation, anything is possible at this level, in elite football. From the coaching staff to the last player, we can all be proud of what we've achieved."
12:02am
It was a gameplan executed to perfection from minute one to minute 120.
They denied Colombia's players the space to create.
When it came down to penalties, it's a lottery. Colombia were the better side but Switzerland progress.
11:51pm
They avoid falling at the last-16 stage again, and will play Argentina in the quarter-finals. It will be Switzerland's first World Cup quarter-final since 1954.
11:50pm
The stutter run up, but there enough deception to wrong foot the goalkeeper.
Vargas to take Switzerland's fifth. Score and they are through to the quarters.
11:49pm
Advantage Switzerland again, Itten waited for the goalkeeper to dive and went down the middle.
Luis Diaz to take Colombia's fifth penalty, and he has to score.
11:48pm
Kobel plunges to his right, and keeps out the penalty at full stretch. Really good save, because there was plenty of power behind it.
Itten to take next for Switzerland.
Kobel saves from Cucho Hernandez - Albert Gea/Reuters
11:47pm
Make that Gabriel, Tah , Sanchez and Akanji! Blasts miles over the bar, it's an awful penalty.
Hernandez to take next.
11:46pm
Kobel will be annoyed with himself, the penalty slipped under his body.
Akanji up next for Switzerland...
11:45pm
Advantage Switzerland. Really cool penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Campaz to take next...
11:44pm
The centre-back hits the bar! The ball bounced down off the line and out. Add that to the collection of defenders missing crucial penalties lately, with Gabriel and Jonathan Tah.
Amdouni to take next...
Davinson Sanchez shoots over - Albert Gea/Reuters
11:43pm
But only just! Vargas guessed the right way, but the ball bounced off his hand into the side netting.
Davinson Sanchez to take next...
11:42pm
Waited for Kobel to dive to his left, before powering the ball down the middle.
Granit Xhaka will take Switzerland's first...
11:41pm
There are more Colombia fans at both ends of the ground, so that aspect of the toss is an irrelevance on this ocassion.
Quintero is putting the ball down on the spot...
11:36pm
Penalties will decide which of these teams will play Argentina in the quarter-finals.
11:33pm
Colombia defender Lucumi has pulled up with an injury, and has been replaced by Yerry Mina , once of Everton .
11:30pm
Campaz has just missed a glorious chance to win it for Colombia! Akanji and Xhaka were involved in a mix up, the latter more at fault, but the Colombia wide man curled over the bar when he could have passed it into the bottom corner. Would have been a galling moment for Xhaka had that gone in.
11:27pm
Promising opening for Xhaka, teed up by Vargas at the edge of the box with the ball running across his body, but he slightly rushed the shot, and it looped over the bar.
11:27pm
Colombia's Quintero chops inside on to his left foot, looking to curl the ball into the top corner, but his shot was always rising.
11:23pm
Switzerland did well to thread the ball through to Amdouni, through Colombia's press, but he ran into a tight spot and committed a foul. Munoz almost barrels his way into the box, but the ball bounces off him for a Switzerland goal kick.
11:21pm
Elvedi with some sound defending to halt Luis Diaz, but the Bayern Munich winger has been well short of his best in this game. But it only takes a moment to win the game.
11:19pm
Colombia still have an extra-time substitute up their sleeve.
11:16pm
We are 15 minutes away from a penalty shoot-out.
11:16pm
Muheim booked for a foul on the lively Campaz. Rios then dances through a couple of challenges through the middle of the Switzerland defence, and he laid the ball off for Diaz whose shot is deflected behind.
11:14pm
Maybe the chances are starting to come now, because Vargas has just made a smart save to deny Switzerland sub Amdouni, who found the space to shoot from around 10 yards out.
11:13pm
A statistic which tells the story of the game.
11:11pm
Colombia have had the better of extra time so far, they are moving the ball through midfield well.
Campaz then shoots from 35 yards out, and his dipping shot was swerving all of the place, but Kobel managed to make an unorthodox save at this near post.
11:09pm
Campaz chops inside from the right and switches play to Luis Diaz, but his touch is loose and he has to settle for a corner.
Whipped in, and Lucumi's header crashes off the bar! That's the closest either side has come to scoring.
11:05pm
Davinson Sanchez booked for dragging the Switzerland striker Itten to the ground. The Colombia bench are not best pleased by the decision but it was clumsy defending.
11:03pm
Luis Diaz fouled by Widmer , with Switzerland sub who replaced Zakaria at right-back and Colombia have a free-kick in a dangerous wide left position.
Delivered, and there are loud appeals for a Colombia penalty, but Campaz threw himself to the ground.
11:01pm
Colombia kick off. Can either side produce a moment of quality?
10:55pm
We are heading to extra time, and in truth this outcome was on the cards from about 10 minutes in.
10:53pm
Switzerland finishing the game on top, and they have a corner. Surely one of the last chances to spare themselves extra time... but Davinson Sanzhez heads away.
10:51pm
Ndoye with a run down the side of the centre-backs, and he shoots wide of the post from a tight angle. That is Ndoye's last action, Vargas replaces him.
10:50pm
Half-hearted appeals for a Switzerland penalty. There will be five minutes of added time, and Colombia have just butchered a great chance to set Luis Diaz away on the break.
10:48pm
Appeals from Campaz for a Colombia penalty, who claimed Ndoye put an arm across his chest, but there was not enough in the incident. The game is meandering towards extra time.
10:47pm
Switzerland with another double sub: Widmer and Itten replace Zakaria and Embolo . Itten is a centre-forward who will offer Switzerland an aerial target in the box.
10:44pm
Colombia on the break, and after a switch of play to the right Quintero tried an outrageous cushioned volley through the Switzerland defence, but his team-mates were caught offside. Great idea, would have been a heck of an assist had it come off.
10:42pm
You have to credit both teams' defensive rigour, it has been hard for the forwards to get a sniff. Colombia are making a double sub: Lerma and the striker Suarez off, Rios and Hernandez the players on.
10:39pm
Switzerland starting to crank up the pressure down the right, but Zakaria's cross is terrible, over all the red shirts in the middle and out for a goal kick. Rather sums up the game so far.
10:37pm
Good defending from Lucumi to intercept with Ndoye chasing after a through ball. Akanji then lumps a pass forward straight out for a Colombia goal kick.
10:34pm
Akajni took a chance trying to usher the ball back to his goalkeeper under pressure from Suarez, and Kobel sliced clear. Colombia came forward again, and worked a great position down the right but the up went the flag for offside. One goal surely wins this game.
10:32pm
Switzerland make a change at left-back: Muheim replaces Ricardo Rodriguez . Munoz has fouled Ndoye, and from the second phase of the free-kick Colombia's goalkeeper Vargas has punched the ball clear before clattering into Embolo.
10:28pm
Time for the second hydration break of the game.
10:26pm
It's all a little frustrating at the moment. It's absorbing, in the way you watch a boxing bout and see the fighters start going through the gears, but we haven't yet arrived at the stage where blows are being exchanged. Colombia look the most dangerous but they haven't – yet – backed up the idea they have what it takes to go all the way.
10:25pm
Colombia enjoying a better spell now, Mojica getting forward from left-back on the outside of Luis Diaz. Still a lack of quality in the final pass and cross from the South American team. They are now making two changes: Arias and James Rodriguez are off, replaced by Quintero and Campaz.
10:20pm
Luis Diaz shoots on the turn in the box, but not enough power on his shot to trouble the goalkeeper. Then Akanji is penalised for wrestling with Suarez. Feels like the game is opening up slightly.
10:18pm
Colombia with a spell of unthreatening possession, before Ndoye spins to put Switzerland back on the front foot. Xhaka with a clever reverse pass to Sow in the box, but his low cross is blocked. Then Zakaria is booked for a late challenge on Luis Diaz. That match-up now looks a problem for Switzerland with their right-back on a yellow.
Switzerland's Denis Zakaria is booked - Gregory Bull/AP
10:13pm
Lovely no-touch turn near the edge of the Colombia box by Rieder and Davinson Sanchez takes the bait. Xhaka over it, but left of centre the free-kick would appear to suit a right-footer. Rieder takes it with his left though bending a shot around the wall in the side netting. Great effort.
10:11pm
Granit Xhaka shown a yellow card for catching Munoz on the top of the boot with his studs. The referee waved play on, and James Rodriguez floated a cross just over the head of Arias.
10:09pm
Switzerland appeals for a penalty for a Munoz foul on Ndoye but the referee says no and VAR upholds the referee's decision. Not enough in it, but on the evidence of the last few minutes Switzerland need to keep funneling the ball to Ndoye.
10:07pm
Important interception from Sanchez at the back for Colombia as Switzerland looked to reverse a pass through for Ndoye.
Then Ndoye looks lively again, skipping beyond Puerta and pulling back a dangerous low cross into the box, but the half-time substitute Sow slipped and sliced his shot over the bar.
10:05pm
Switzerland get the second half started
10:04pm
Sow has replaced Jashari in midfield.
09:50pm
Cigarette paper between the teams after 45 minutes. There has been probably been more menace to Colombia's attacks when Diaz or James Rodriguez are involved, but it is marginal. Who goes through is anyone's guess from here.
Colombia and Switzerland both found it hard to make chances - Lindsey Wasson/AP
09:47pm
Switzerland decided to take that free-kick short, and Ricardo Rodriguez then gave a cheap foul away. A waste.
09:46pm
Just the three minutes of added time to play. Switzerland have a free-kick in a crossing position wide left.
09:44pm
Colombia on the front foot again, Diaz spreading play to Munoz and they win a corner. Switzerland thought they were away on a counter but Ndoye is penalised for a foul on Mojica.
09:41pm
Colombia win a couple of corners in quick succession, they have looked slightly the more dangerous of the teams going forward. Switzerland clear their lines. Xhaka makes a run forward from midfield but the attempted pass towards him is too strong.
09:39pm
James Rodriguez continues to be involved in all of Colombia's best attacks, but they cannot quite get their shows away quickly enough in the box. Then Luis Diaz winds up for an overhead kick but Zakaria puts his head there first.
Luis Diaz tries to shoot - Gregory Bull/AP
09:34pm
Colombia threaten again, but Diaz's shot is blocked by Elvedi before James Rodriguez's floated cross into the box is a tad overhit. Colombia look at their best when they close down Switzerland high up the pitch.
09:31pm
Switzerland's best chance of the game so far after a mistake at the back by Davinson Sanchez, but Rieder's shot, hit down into the turf, was too close to the goalkeeper Vargas. Sloppy from Sanchez to dally on the ball on the edge of his box.
09:28pm
Play has now resumed after the break, with Lerma tripping Xhaka in midfield. Premier League watchers will know Lerma has been a yellow card machine during his time at Bournemouth and Palace, but no further punishment on this occasion. Munoz then clears a low cross whipped into the Colombia box.
09:24pm
Time for the first hydration break of the game. The pitch is entirely in shade.
Incredible to think it is 12 years since James Rodriguez took a pass on his chest, arched his back, pirouetted and scored one of the greatest goals the Maracana Stadium has ever seen during the 2014 World Cup. Did he ever live up to that potential? Probably not. There is no question, however, his talent is immense and it was such a shame that he never got to showcase it properly during the one season he spent at Everton during lockdown. He would have been idolised by Evertonians in the way he's idolised by the Colombians who have packed into the stadium in Vancouver. He looks full of confidence.
09:22pm
Switzerland goalkeeper Kobel makes the first save of the game, pushing a curling shot by Puerta around the post. The move was started by some sharp counter-pressing in the middle of the pitch by Colombia, really front-footed just as it looked like Switzerland were about to establish possession.
Sitzerland's Gregor Kobel makes a save - Anne-Marie Sorvin/Reuters
09:20pm
There has been some neat interplay from Colombia down their right, with Munoz, Arias and James Rodriguez involved. They are starting to dominate possession now, and it is interesting to watch the free role granted to Rodriguez. He is drifting across the pitch in search of touches.
09:15pm
Now Switzerland have a corner after a swift attack down their left wing. James Rodriguez is then fouled by his namesake Ricardo Rodriguez at the edge of the box. Very even, so far.
09:13pm
Signs that Luis Diaz can cause Elvedi a problem when he runs into the space behind Zakaria when Switzerland's right-back (a central midfielder by trade) pushes forward. Elvedi trips the Bayern Munich winger.
From the free-kick, James Rodriguez's delivery is excellent and it is an equally good defensive header by Akanji to repel the cross.
Switzerland's Nico Elvedi fouls Diaz - Simon Fearn/Reuters
09:10pm
Colombia now moving the ball well across midfield, with James Rodriguez drifting inside from the right. This already has the feel of a game which is going to be mightily close. I won't go all John Motson by mentioning penalties 10 minutes into the game.
09:06pm
Colombia have a corner after a clever pass fed by Jhon Arias behind the retreating Switzerland defence. With Luis Diaz lurking, Zakaria felt compelled to poke the ball behind, but the set-piece comes to nothing.
Xhaka drops in to almost a left centre-back type position to help Switzerland progress the ball forward but the flag goes up for offside against Ndoye.
09:03pm
Luis Diaz's harrying from the front forces Elvedi to go back to Switzerland's goalkeeper Kobel and he kicks the ball out of play for a Colombia throw. Then Switzerland enjoy some early possession, with Zakaria driving forward from right-back, but Colombia defend their box.
09:00pm
Colombia get the final last-16 match at this World Cup under way.
08:56pm
Time for the anthems. There are yellow shirts in all four corners of the stadium in Vancouver.
08:47pm
Very much looking forward to this tie, specifically to watch Colombia. It has long been the personal belief that there is going to be an "unexpected" semi-finalist, whether that Morocco, Norway or someone else and Colombia have the profile of dark horses. They have quietly gone about their business so far and arrive at this stage under the radar. Famous last words, but might this be the occasion when they take a giant step forward?
Colombia's Yerry Mina, Deiver Machado and Jaminton Campaz - Anne-Marie Sorvin/Reuters
08:43pm
08:20pm
08:20pm
Jhon Cordoba, their 33-year-old striker who plays for Krasnodar, has been starting up top but is injured for this give. That means Luis Suárez (no, not that one) gets his chance, after a season in which he scored 28 league goals in 31 starts in Portugal for Sporting CP. He played against Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Luis Suarez leads the line for Colombia - Verity Griffin/Getty Images
08:12pm
08:02pm
He will be watching his former Liverpool player Luis Diaz on Colombia's left flank. Earlier in the tournament, Sam Wallace wrote this piece about what might be next for Klopp. The Germany job has since become available.
Jurgen Klopp is working for German television - Agustin Marcarian/Reuters
07:55pm
Switzerland XI: Kobel; Zakaria, Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Rieder, Jashari, Ndoye, Embolo
Colombia XI: Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Lerma, Puerta; J Arias, Rodriguez, Diaz; Suarez
Granit Xhaka has been linked with a move to Chelsea - Lindsey Wasson/AP
07:43pm
No doubt that the Swiss supporters will be outnumbered in Vancouver.
Colombia fans are already in their seats - Agustin Marcarian/Reuters
07:40pm
In just a few hours, there will be eight teams left in the World Cup. You can predict all of the remaining matches using our interactive predictor tool .
07:29pm
Switzerland reach the knockout stages of major tournaments with unerring regularity (you could say like clockwork). However, after being knocked out at the last-16 stage of three of their last four World Cups and the quarter-finals at Euro 2020 and 2024, they keep falling at familiar hurdles.
This evening in Vancouver they have the chance to reach the last eight of the World Cup for the first time since 1954, but an impressive Colombia team stand in their way, who along with Morocco have claimed the mantle of tournament dark horses.
Joe Manzmabi, the 20-year-old Freiburg midfielder linked with a move to Newcastle United, has been one of the finds of the tournament for Switzerland, scoring three goals and providing two assists. He is surrounded by one of the older squads in the tournament, with Roman Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Ricardo Rodriguez and Manuel Akanji still fixtures in the team.
Manzambi, Ruben Vargas and Dribijl Sow all missed training on Monday though, and are injury doubts.
"Everybody is very annoyed because this is going to be a very big loss. If they might not play tomorrow, it could be a huge issue for us," said head coach Murat Yakin.
"We will see what happens this afternoon, because they will go through some medical examinations, but this is football. You always have to adjust until the very last minute and we will see what is going to happen this afternoon."
Switzerland have benefited from a soft run through the tournament so far, drawing with Qatar before wins over Canada, Bosnia and Algeria.
Colombia will be their most testing opponent by some distance, with the South Americans conceding just one goal in four matches at the tournament. Portugal's stock is not as high as it was a few weeks ago, but Colombia peppered their goal with 26 shots. They have also beaten DR Congo and Ghana, both of whom caused England some trouble.
Luis Diaz is their main attacking threat, and their yellow-shirted fans have dominated stadiums across the United States and Canada, with a significant Colombian diaspora in post major cities.
The winners of this tie will play Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Full team news on the way shortly.
