Colombia's World Cup run ended in heartbreak Tuesday, but not before captain James Rodríguez wrote his name into the national team's record books. In the Round of 16 clash against Switzerland at BC Place in Vancouver, Rodríguez made his 131st appearance for Colombia, passing goalkeeper David Ospina to become the most-capped player in the country's history.
The match itself never found a breakthrough. Colombia and Switzerland played to a scoreless draw through 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time, sending the match to penalties. Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel dove to his right to save Cucho Hernández's spot kick, and the Swiss converted enough of their attempts to win the shootout 4-3, eliminating Colombia from the tournament.
For Rodríguez, who turns 35 on Sunday, the record-setting night carries extra weight - this may have been his final World Cup appearance. The Golden Boot winner from Brazil 2014 has now played in three tournaments (2014, 2018, 2026), tallying 31 goals and 43 assists across his Colombia career.
Rodríguez has spoken openly in the past about leaning on his faith before matches. "Before a match, I just ask God to make sure everything works out good," he has said.
Colombia's exit ends the nation's push to match its best-ever World Cup finish, a quarterfinal run in 2014 that Rodríguez himself helped author as a 22-year-old. Switzerland advances to face either Argentina or Egypt in the quarterfinals.
