France’s blind football team won the country’s first-ever Paralympic gold with a win over Argentina and the support of a boisterous crowd at Eiffel Tower Stadium
Hosts France secured gold in blind football after a 3-2 victory on penalties, with 41-year-old hero Frederic Villeroux scoring the winner in the shootout following a 1-1 draw in regular time.
On a magical evening under the bright lights of the Eiffel Tower, French dreams were realised as they become only the second-ever nation to win Paralympic blind football gold. It all started with a spine-tingling rendition of the national anthem; from then on, it was Argentina’s five men against France’s, plus 11,000 people.
“It felt like the script of a film,” Villeroux said.
“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.
Villeroux refused to take individual credit for the victory, instead heaping praise on his teammates.
“I’m not a superhero, the whole team are. This is a team formed by superheroes, and the fans were superheroes, too.”
Les Bleus took the lead just three minutes before half time when star player Villeroux fired home a goal. All four corners of the stadium erupted, just as the Eiffel Tower began to illuminate the darkening skyline.
But their joy was short-lived. Maximiliano Espinillo bundled the ball into the net almost instantly, leaving the home crowd to once again rally the troops with a rendition of “Allez les Bleus”.
That song was a permanent fixture of every break in play. The atmosphere was fearsome when allowed, flags were waving, and the noise levels increasing by the second.
Villeroux saw a shot blocked as France searched to reestablish their lead before half time, but Argentina survived to stay level.
French goalkeeper Alessandro Bartolomucci was forced to make two strong saves after the restart, with the crowd struggling to contain themselves in the rising tension. To keep themselves occupied, they partook in a silent Mexican wave.
Behind the goal to the left, a throng of French support was sustained by a megaphone and a drum between play; everyone was doing their bit to help France get there.
With seconds remaining, Argentina had a free kick. Silence fell across the stadium, out of nerves as much as necessity, but it was blocked and the whistle soon went for full time and penalties.
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The kicks in the shootout were perfect until a miss from Nahuel Heredia offered Villeroux a chance to secure the win; he collapsed in a heap under the weight of what he’d done, securing history and immortalisation for France.
Brazil win bronze
Meanwhile, earlier on, Brazil legend Jefinho scored the only goal as they beat Colombia 1-0 to claim the bronze medal.
Brazil was beaten for the first time in Paralympic history by Argentina in the semifinals, but recovered well with a dominant performance and could have won by more.
“This team never gave up,” Jefinho said.
“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.”
It was a cagey first half from both sides; neither created a huge amount of chances nor tested the goalkeepers enough. The initial brief introduction of Jefinho gave Brazil some impetus, he helped get them up the pitch with his exquisite close control, but they couldn’t find a breakthrough.
Colombia could have taken a lead right on the stroke of half time, but Juan Perez Quintero’s shot whistled wide of the target, much to their frustration.
The second half was more open, and both sides traded chances. At one end, Nonato went close for Brazil, before Jhon Gonzalez Hernandez forced a strong save from the Brazil goalkeeper.
Ricardinho, who missed the crucial penalty in the semifinals, was seldom a passenger, forcing Brazil forward and keeping them in control as the game wore on.
Not for the first time, Jefinho stepped up when Brazil needed him most. Though he missed out on a fifth gold medal, his powerful strike into the bottom corner secured bronze.
Jefinho and Nonato both failed to convert from close range to make sure for Brazil, before Perez Quintero couldn’t connect from the angle for Colombia at the other end. Ultimately, Brazil held on to continue their record of winning a medal at every Paralympic Games.
By Harry De Cosemo for the IPC