VANCOUVER, Canada, July 7 (Reuters) - ⁠Colombia manager Nestor Lorenzo said his side paid the price ⁠for failing to turn pressure into goals after they were ‌knocked out of the World Cup 4-3 on penalties by Switzerland following a tense goalless draw after extra time in the last 16.

In a press conference lasting little ​more than three minutes, Lorenzo said Colombia had ⁠done enough over 120 ⁠minutes to merit more from a match he described as tight, tactical ⁠and ‌evenly balanced.

"What we lacked, without doubt, was scoring a goal," Lorenzo told reporters.

"We knew it was going to be a ⁠very closed (down) match, very tactical, very even. Even so, ​I think we ‌deserved a little more in the 90 minutes because of ⁠the intentions we ​had and the shots we took."

Lorenzo said the game lost rhythm as it went on, with both teams tiring before the stalemate led to penalties.

The ⁠Colombia coach also defended his decision to ​replace midfielder Jhon Arias, saying it was prompted by fatigue and the risk of a second yellow card after he was booked in the ⁠last 32 win over Ghana and could have missed a potential quarter-final.

Lorenzo also took off Luis Suarez late on, with the forward having already picked up a yellow card on the hour mark.

"We were afraid ​that with one late challenge we could ⁠be left with one less player. And energy too," he said.

"We had ​15 attempts. That is a lot, and ‌not scoring, you pay for it. There ​is nothing to reproach. Sometimes the ball goes in and sometimes it doesn't."

(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Ken Ferris)