Rubén Vargas
SEV
LW
Wide Forward
Aug 5, 1998 (28)
Right
5'10"
170 lb
Named among substitutes
Vargas (undisclosed) is on the bench for Tuesday's World Cup Round of 16 clash against Colombia.
Analysis: Vargas had been considered a major doubt after leaving training early on Monday, but he recovered sufficiently to be included in the matchday squad. However, Switzerland opted not to risk one of its key attacking players from the opening whistle, ending his streak of starts at the tournament. Fabian Rieder gets the nod on the wing after Vargas entered the match with two goals and one assist in the World Cup. Vargas remains available as an impact option off the bench if Switzerland needs additional attacking quality later in the contest.
Late call for Tuesday
Vargas exited training early Monday ahead of Tuesday's match against Colombia and is now questionable, according to manager Murat Yakin, per Lucas Werder of Blick. "The annoyance is, of course, great that they had to interrupt training one day before the game. It would be a big loss if they couldn't stand on the court tomorrow. We will look closely today and tomorrow to see if they can still be there"
Analysis: Vargas has some questions around his availability heading into Tuesday, as the winger was forced to exit training early. This is a major concern for the team, as he has started in all but one game so far this World Cup and remains one of their top attacking options, plus Johan Manzambi (undisclosed) is also questionable. Vargas has earned two goals and an assist, so his absence would leave a hole on the left flank. With two other options to join the midfield in Michel Aebischer (undisclosed) and Djibril Sow (undisclosed) also questionable to play, Fabian Rieder or Noah Okafor could find starting time if Vargas is out.
Delivers from left flank
Vargas had four crosses (two accurate) and two corners in Thursday's 2-0 victory over Algeria.
Analysis: Vargas registered four crosses (two accurate), two chances created and one interception across his 71 minutes in Thursday's 2-0 win over Algeria before being replaced by Fabian Rieder, providing consistent width and delivery from the left side of Switzerland's attack against an Algerian defensive block that struggled to cope with his combination with Johan Manzambi throughout the first half. The winger contributed to the attacking pressure that kept Algeria pinned back for large spells, and his delivery and directness give Switzerland an important attacking option heading into the round of 16 against Colombia or Ghana in Vancouver.
Scores in Canada fixture
Vargas scored one goal to go with one shot (one on target), two crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Canada.
Analysis: Vargas returned to the starting lineup after being deployed as a sub in the previous game and broke the deadlock right away in the second half with a clever finish on the near post after cutting from the wing, making the stat sheet in back-to-back matches. He has registered at least one shot and one cross in all three games, amassing six (four on target) and 17 (three on target), assisting once and adding two corners and three tackles (two won).
Goal and assist off bench
Vargas scored one goal and assisted once from two shots and one chance created in Thursday's 4-1 victory versus Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Analysis: Vargas was surprisingly left out of the starting XI but wasted no time proving a point when he came on. He and Johan Manzambi transformed the game from the moment they stepped onto the pitch, with Vargas's runs and crosses down the left directly influencing three of Switzerland's goals, capped by a goal and an assist of his own.
Active outing on left flank
Vargas recorded three shots (one on goal), 11 crosses (three accurate) and six corners in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Qatar.
Analysis: Vargas was direct and persistent throughout his 79 minutes in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Qatar, registering three shots (one on target) from the left flank and combining consistently with Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo in the final third as Switzerland's most active wide outlet on the left side of the pitch, also delivering 11 crosses including six corners, the most of any player on the pitch. The winger drove at the Qatar backline with determination and contributed to the sustained pressure that kept Qatar pinned back for large spells, with his set-piece delivery in particular creating multiple dangerous situations inside the box that Qatar struggled to deal with throughout. Replaced by Zeki Amdouni with his side still leading 1-0, Vargas was not on the pitch to witness the stoppage-time own goal that denied Switzerland a winning start, with his exit one of the tactical decisions coach Murat Yakin will be reflecting on ahead of the Bosnia-Herzegovina clash on Thursday.
Starts against Qatar
Vargas (undisclosed) is on the starting XI for Switzerland's game against Qatar
Analysis: Vargas was absent from Saturday's 1-1 draw against Australia after picking up a minor undisclosed injury on Wednesday, an issue that saw him train apart from the group on Friday. He returned to full training shortly after and reclaimed his place in the starting eleven without delay.
Trains fully with Switzerland
Vargas (undisclosed) is training at full capacity as part of a fully healthy Switzerland squad, according to Lucas Werder of Blick Sport.
Analysis: Vargas missed Saturday's 1-1 draw against Australia due to a minor undisclosed injury sustained Wednesday, which led to him training separately from the group on Friday. He is now back training at full capacity as part of a fully healthy squad ahead of the opener against Qatar and could push for a starting spot.
Dealing with minor injury
Vargas (undisclosed) missed Saturday's 1-1 draw against Australia after picking up a minor injury on Wednesday and training separately from the group on Friday, though coach Murat Yakin confirmed he will be fully available to train with the squad from this week, according to RTS. "All the players are healthy, which is very important. Next week, we will be able to train with all the players, including Breel and Ruben."
Analysis: Vargas has been one of the most important figures in coach Murat Yakin's setup since the beginning of his tenure and is expected to be fully fit for Switzerland's World Cup opener against Qatar on June 13. The winger's return to full training this week will give the coach the full complement of attacking options he needs to finalize his preparations for the tournament.
Creative force for Switzerland
Vargas has been named in Switzerland's World Cup squad and is expected to start on the left wing under coach Murat Yakin, arriving at the tournament in good physical condition after managing to string together a consistent run of matches in the final stretch of a difficult season with Sevilla.
Analysis: Vargas endured a campaign heavily disrupted by injuries but finished strongly, contributing three goals and six assists alongside 90 crosses including 40 corners across 24 appearances this season. His set-piece duties for both club and country enhance his value, with the Swiss winger handling corners and free kicks and ranking among the tournament's top dead-ball specialists. His ability to deliver dangerous crosses from wide areas and create chances through direct running gives Switzerland a consistent attacking threat down the left flank. Vargas is one of the most important creative outlets in manager Murat Yakin's system. His experience in major international tournaments and his understanding of the national team's style of play give him a natural advantage heading into the competition, particularly given the attacking responsibility he carries on that side of the pitch.
Three shots off bench
Vargas generated three shots (zero on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 1-0 defeat versus Celta Vigo.
Analysis: Vargas made an appearance off the bench during the final of the season Saturday. A mid season hamstring injury saw the forward miss some time, resulting in just 24 appearances in La a Liga (20 starts). He still managed to be the team's top playmaker with six assists, along with his three goals while collecting 90 crosses and creating 28 chances.
Able to get assist
Vargas assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), five crosses (zero accurate) and three corners in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over Villarreal.
Analysis: Despite zero accurate crosses, Vargas was able to get an assist thanks to his three created chances. Similar to his teammate Djibril Sow, Vargas will need to remain heavily active for Sevilla to breach a Real Madrid defense which has let in just 33 goals in La Liga play.
Struggles to generate offense
Vargas generated two shots (zero on goal), six crosses (zero accurate) and one corner in Thursday's 2-0 loss against Levante.
Analysis: Vargas did his best to try to get Sevilla a point from the encounter, but he was unable to score or assist in the 2-0 loss. He has a somewhat neutral matchup looming against Osasuna as the side has allowed 39 goals in 32 league games. The forward will have to improve his efficiency to break through this defense.
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