Men

France ended their home Games with a first-ever Paralympic win as they overcame Egypt 6-4 with Elias Ouni and Nabil Baich contributing three goals.

Having conceded 12 goals in their quarter-final mercy defeat, coach Vivien Fournier Dit Chabert said the team wanted a reaction: ‘We had some good matches in the preliminary round but it was really important to win today as we were unhappy with the result against Brazil so it’s just amazing.’

He also hailed the experience of competing at the Games for both the men’s and women’s teams: ‘It’s great for us to show other French people how fantastic goalball is and that there can be new players and new teams.’

For Egypt, it was another defeat although they have acquitted themselves well after their 32-year Paralympic absence.

Iran recovered from their late quarter-final defeat against Ukraine to beat the USA 4-3 as Hasan Jafari and Mohammad Parnia scored braces.

Having lost 14-7 to the same opponents in the group stage, an improved defensive display saw them end an encouraging tournament in fifth-place.

It was the final Games for USA’s five-time Paralympian Tyler Merren and Tre’shaun Faison paid a glowing tribute to his teammate: ‘It’s not a stretch to say that Tyler has been USA goalball for a long time. Without Tyler we wouldn’t have made it this far.

‘Tyler is a leader on and off the court, he’s someone you can just go and talk to. He’s a role model. He’s been the man for years.’

Women

As with the men’s side, France’s women fell to a 12-2 mercy defeat against China who reached a fourth semi-final in five Paralympics.

In a repeat of their group stage meeting, which they won 6-1, they will face Israel after seven goals from Zhenhua Cao and Xiling Zhang’s hat-trick, her first goals in Paris.

Their only defeat at this stage came three years ago in Tokyo when they were edged out by Brazil and they now have the opportunity for another medal to add to their three consecutive silvers since Beijing.

For France it showed the level of talent at this competition but Melda Alhan is confident their experience will only help: ‘This team is doing wonderful things behind the scenes. We will become stronger and stronger.

It’s something incredible that we played in France. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. ‘I will fight strongly to help goalball develop more in this country.’

Reigning champions Turkey beat debutants Korea 6-3 to reach another Paralympic semi-final.

In a meeting of two teams with contrasting experiences at the highest-level, Sevda Altonoluk scored four times to set up another match with Brazil after their group stage draw.

Despite the defeat it has been a strong tournament for the newcomers, conceding just four goals in the pool stages and claiming their first win at the Paralympics against France.

Brazil avenged their Tokyo bronze medal match defeat as they beat Japan 2-0 to reach the semi-final.

Jessica Vitorino netted twice as the South Americans recorded a first win in Paris and set-up a repeat of their thrilling 3-3 draw group stage with Turkey following the reigning champions’ win over Korea.

Japan came into the match with three successive wins and just two goals conceded, but there was to be no repeat result from three years ago.

Israel reached a maiden Paralympic semi-final, where they will play China, after overcoming Canada 5-1.

Having lost at this stage in their previous two Paralympics, four goals from Lihi Ben David helped them finally banish their last-eight hoodoo.

Their 6-1 group stage defeat to China will have no impact on Israel’s mindset Ben David said: ‘They were better in the pool stage but we are coming strong now and every game is different.’