Hosts France wins penalty shootout against Argentina to achieve their first-ever Paralympic blind football gold medal on Saturday (7 September). Jefinho’s strike against Colombia lands bronze for Brazil.

The France men’s blind football national team sent Paris into euphoria by winning an agonising penalty shootout against Argentina. In a packed and eccentric Eiffel Tower Stadium, the crowd waved thousands of blue, white and red flags and chanted “Allez les Blues” (“Let’s go Blues” in English) to set the scene for a historic evening.

The first-half was as energetic as the crowd. Both sides were neck and neck, but it was French captain Frederic Villeroux who broke the deadlock in the tenth minute. The midfielder picked up the ball in the defensive third and dragged the Argentinean defence left and right, then hit a powerful shot to give France a 1-0 lead. The Eiffel Tower stadium fans screamed with joy, but celebrations were short lived as Argentina immediately responded with a goal straight from kick-off. Argentina defender Froilan Padilla found Maximilliano Espinillo through a lofted pass and the striker scored from close range.

The halftime whistle blew with the score tied at 1-1. The second-half had just as much action, with French goalkeeper Alessandro Bartolomucci having to make a handful of saves to prevent Espinillo from scoring a second goal. Bartolomucci’s saves kept the final score at 1-1 and took the hosts to a penalty shootout against the world champions.

Argentina’s Espinillo took the first penalty and poked a hard shot straight down the middle to give his team a 1-0 lead. Hakim Arezki of France was next. He equalised with a shot into the right corner. Mario Rios took his turn for Argentina. He also scored, narrowly beating Bartolomucci. Martin Baron stepped up next for France. He scored with the help of the crossbar. Nahuel Heredia struck a hard shot, but the French goalkeeper stopped the shot and the stadium exploded. With the shootout tied at 2-2, captain Frederic Villeroux approached France’s final shot with calmness. He hit a shot into the left corner to win the shootout 3-2 and give France their very first Paralympic blind football gold medal.

France is the first team other than Brazil to win gold in blind football at a Paralympics. Brazil had previously won five gold medals since the sports’ inception at the Paralympic Games in Athens 2004.

When asked about how it felt to score the winning penalty for France, Frederic Villeroux said:

“It felt like the script of a film. I normally don’t take penalty kicks. It’s not my thing. But today the coach came to talk to me and said it was my time. I feel so great I managed to score that goal. I’m not a superhero, the whole team are. This is a team formed by superheroes, and the fans were superheroes, too.”

Photo Description: Frederic Villeroux of France celebrates the winning penalty with his guide Yannick le Colvez

The bronze medal match was between former Paralympic blind football champions Brazil and impressive debutants Colombia. There were few chances to score in the first half, with the exception of the double attempt at Colombia’s goal by Brazil’s Raimundo Nonanto Mendes and Colombia forward Jhon Alexander Hernandez Garcia’s shot after he dribbled past the Brazilian defence. Something magical was needed to break the deadlock. The magic came from Brazil in the second half, when Jeferson Da Conceicao Goncalves (Jefinho) made an angled dribble from the corner past the Colombian defence and slotted the ball home in the twenty sixth minute. Colombia fought hard to equalise, but Brazil saw out the remainder of the game to claim bronze.

“This is a play we train a lot for. My teammates protect me and give me the necessary room for me to attack with the ball and take the shot. It was a very happy moment to score and help Brazil claim a medal. This team never gave up. It was tough to lose in the semifinals, but we showed great determination, and we were able to take the field today with our winning mentality and our determination. We are used to playing in big games, and today we left all disappointments behind and were able to win,” said Jefinho.

Photo Description: Jefinho is hugged by his goalkeeper Luan as Nonato and guide Julio Marques join the celebration. 

Following a spectacular blind football competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, blind football now looks forward to an action-packed 2025. Next year will see division 2 regional championships in Asia/Oceania, America, Central America, and Europe, in addition to the Women’s Blind football World Championships and Men’s Blind Football Nations Cup both taking place in India. There will also be a number of other big tournaments and major development plans in the build up to Los Angeles 2028.

By Keon Richardson / For IBSA