Ruben Vargas has struck the winning spot kick as Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shootout to reach the World Cup quarter-finals after a goalless 120 minutes in Vancouver.

Sevilla winger Vargas held his nerve after a cagey encounter of few goalscoring chances on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) and the Swiss will next face defending champions Argentina on Sunday in Kansas.

Vargas's teammate Manuel Akanji fired his penalty over the crossbar, but Colombia pair Davinson Sanchez and Cucho Hernandez both failed to convert and the South Americans made a painful exit.

It was 20 minutes before Gustavo Puerta forced Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into the first save, while Fabian Rieder's angled shot was kept out by Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas.

The caution-first approach continued in the second half with Swiss substitute Djibril Sow slipping as he connected with a cross and Rieder curled his free kick into the side netting.

Colombia's final pass also deserted them and in the first period of extra time their penalty appeals were ignored by the match officials after Jaminton Campaz went down under Miro Muheim's challenge.

The game, at last, flickered into life as Colombia defender Jhon Lucumi's header from a corner struck the crossbar and Switzerland substitute Zeki Amdouni's effort was well saved by Vargas.

Swiss captain Granit Xhaka blazed a rare chance off target in the second period of extra time and the unmarked Campaz wasted the best opening of the match when shooting over the crossbar from inside the box before the tie was settled on penalties.

Earlier in the day, Argentina came from 2-0 down in Atlanta to defeat Egypt.