Colombia fans pack restaurant to watch World Cup match against Switzerland

NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Colombian Cultural Association and others gathered Tuesday afternoon at Paisa MX to watch Colombia face Switzerland in a World Cup round-of-16 match that went to penalty kicks.

The watch party drew a crowd of Colombia supporters hoping to secure a quarterfinal berth at Kansas City’s stadium — and a matchup with Argentina. Instead, the crowd saw their Colombian team fall 4-3 in a penalty shootout.

‘It means the world for me’

Gustavo Restrepo, vice president of the Colombian Cultural Association, said the prospect of Colombia advancing to play in Kansas City carried deep personal significance.

“It means the world for me. It means the heaven for me,” Restrepo said. “Because it’s going to be the first time that we are going to be in the final rounds.”

Restrepo also spoke to the rivalry between Colombia and Argentina, noting the two South American nations have a long competitive history.

“Colombia, at this time, we are going pretty straight on the right tracking,” he said.

Kansas City earns praise from the Colombian community

Restrepo said the tournament has reinforced his pride in Kansas City as a host city.

“It’s been an amazing experience, especially Kansas, that is our hometown,” he said. “Kansas has been on the spot because we are so friendly...this is a wonderful city.”

Energy on the floor

DJ Alex “Pajaro” Herrera kept the energy up inside Paisa MX throughout the match.

“Bringing all the people together at the same time, all the Colombian people and every kind of people, Mexicans and all of them, to share for us is amazing,” Herrera said. “It is all about the passion of us.”

Luna Souza, 13, was born in Kansas City but said her Colombian heritage made the moment personal.

“The vibes. Everybody’s screaming. Everyone’s singing the anthem. It was amazing,” Souza said. “It’s just such a great opportunity to have a game here.”