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Rabat – Switzerland and Colombia have confirmed their starting lineups for their World Cup round-of-16 match at BC Place in Vancouver.
The winner will take the final quarterfinal spot and face Argentina, who advanced earlier with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Egypt.
Switzerland reached this stage after beating Algeria 2-0, while Colombia advanced with a 1-0 win over Ghana.
Switzerland without Manzambi
Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin has selected Gregor Kobel in goal.
Denis Zakaria, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji and Ricardo Rodriguez start in defense.
Remo Freuler and Granit Xhaka will lead the midfield, with Fabian Rieder, Ardon Jashari and Dan Ndoye supporting Breel Embolo in attack.
Switzerland are without Johan Manzambi, who misses the match with a knee injury suffered in training. The 20-year-old had scored three goals and provided two assists in the tournament. Michel Aebischer and Luca Jaquez are also unavailable because of muscle injuries.
Switzerland XI: Kobel; Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Rieder, Jashari, Ndoye; Embolo.
James starts for Colombia
Colombia head coach Nestor Lorenzo has kept James Rodriguez in the starting lineup.
James starts on the right side of the attack but is expected to move inside and connect with Luis Suarez and Luis Diaz.
Camilo Vargas starts in goal behind a back four of Daniel Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi and Johan Mojica.
Gustavo Puerta, Jefferson Lerma and Jhon Arias form Colombia’s midfield.
Luis Suarez leads the attack in place of Jhon Cordoba, who suffered an adductor injury against Ghana.
Colombia XI: Vargas; Muñoz, Sánchez, LucumÃ, Mojica; Puerta, Lerma, J. Arias; RodrÃguez, Suárez, DÃaz.
Quarterfinal spot at stake
The match is the final fixture of the round of 16.
Switzerland are trying to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954, while Colombia are chasing their first last-eight appearance since 2014.
Colombia enter the match with strong support in Vancouver and one of the most balanced teams left in the tournament.
Switzerland, however, remain unbeaten and will rely on Xhaka, Akanji and Embolo to guide them through a difficult test.
The winner will meet Argentina in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
