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Radamel Falcao, the all-time leading scorer for the Colombia national team, attacked the country's football system, holding them responsible for the decline in results, after exiting the World Cup following a penalty shootout loss to Switzerland.

Colombia left the World Cup without a loss in regular time, but left with a broken heart after another penalty shootout defeat, and the all-time leading scorer Radamel Falcao was not ready to offer soothing words.

Colombia bid farewell to the tournament in the round of 16 on Tuesday, after Switzerland won 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw in Vancouver, ending hopes of reaching the quarterfinals.

Colombia had also been eliminated on penalties from the 2018 World Cup, and the 2019 and 2021 Copa America.

Falcao, who works as an analyst for ESPN during the tournament, said the defeat revealed deeper problems in the Colombian football system.

He added: 'It's a shame given the opportunities we had, we didn't know how to take advantage of them.'

He continued: 'At this stage of such a tournament, opponents are at a level that doesn't allow you to escape punishment, and as happened on many occasions, penalty kicks were what clipped the wings of our football.'

He added: 'We have to work on developing our football, in our clubs and in the national team. We must pay great attention to this, because disappointments have been many.'

Falcao then directed his criticism at the structure of domestic competitions in Colombia, noting that the country has only 36 professional teams, with 20 in the first division and 16 in the second.

He concluded: 'Our youth development programs must improve. It is unacceptable that we do not have a third division. It's a shame that our football lacks competitiveness and promotes mediocrity and laziness, with clubs that do not invest because they know they will not be relegated.'

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