Paris 2024 Paralympics | Blind football: France makes history by winning in a penalty shootout against Argentina
The French team sent Paris into a frenzy by winning in a penalty shootout against Argentina. This is France's first Paralympic title in blind football. Here’s the story of the match.
The French blind football team had a date with history on September 7, 2024. At the foot of the Eiffel Tower, Toussaint Akpweh’s men approached their second Paralympic final (the first was in 2012, lost to Brazil) with passion and determination. In a packed and electrifying Eiffel Tower Stadium, the French team had everything needed to win the hearts of the French people. As they stepped onto the field, the ten players and the staff couldn’t resist soaking in the atmosphere. In the arena of 11,000 spectators, thousands of blue, white, and red flags waved, setting the stage for a historic evening.
The French team starts its match well
The first half lives up to the occasion. The French and Argentinians are neck and neck. Ahmed Tidiane Diakité has a strong start, with two solo runs forward that bring danger near the Argentine penalty area. Additionally, Alessandro Bartolomucci's quick throw-ins allow the French team to quickly advance into their opponents' half. As the focal point up front, Frédéric Villeroux proves to be particularly solid. However, the defense must avoid giving too much space to the technical prowess of Maximiliano Espinillo and Osvaldo Fernandez, who are real threats with the ball at their feet.
Back and forth
It took until the 10th minute of play to celebrate. Once again, the inevitable Frédéric Villeroux broke the deadlock with a well-executed play by the captain, who beat the Argentine goalkeeper with a close-range, powerful shot (1-0). The Eiffel Tower Stadiuml barely had time to come down from its high before Maximiliano Espinillo equalized. Right from the kickoff, a lobbed pass forward allowed the man with the orange hair to shoot on goal just a split second before Alessandro Bartolomucci could grab the ball (1-1). Everything had to be redone...
The halftime whistle blew with the score tied at 1-1, almost at the right time for the French team, who had accumulated 4 team fouls and were just one away from giving Albiceleste a penalty.
The French team keeps up the good work
A huge save from Alessandro Bartolomucci just two minutes into the second half sets the tone. The goalkeeper relieves everyone by quickly diving to his right. Shortly after, he repeats the feat with another save following an Argentine corner that ends with a shot from Espinillo (8 shots from Argentina with 5 on target, while the French team only has 4 shots with 1 on target at this point). The Bartolomucci show continues with yet another save, as the French keeper battles fiercely with Espinillo tonight. These saves highlight the offensive struggles of the French team.
"Shalalalala, allez les Bleus!" The crowd cheers whenever they can, urging their team towards a historic Paralympic victory. Three minutes remain!
With 30 seconds left, Argentina wins a free kick! The atmosphere at the Eiffel Tower Stadium is unbearable... The ball is blocked by the warrior Frédéric Villeroux, who gave everything until the very end. It's time for the penalty shootout!
An unbearable penalty shoot-out
Espinillo had the difficult task of opening the shootout. Faced with Bortolomucci, he opted for a hard shot through the middle. It went in! (1 to 0 for Argentina).
Hakim Arezki goes first for the French Team. The defender equalizes with a right-foot shot (1/1).
Mario Rios takes his turn for Argentina's second shot. He also scored, narrowly beating Bartolomucci (2/1).
Martin Baron takes over as shooter. He came on during the first half and scored with the help of the crossbar (2/2), like Zidane in the 2006 World Cup final.
Nahuel Heredia went close for the Albiceleste, but the French goalkeeper stopped the shot. The stadium explodes!
Match ball for Frédéric Villeroux, who doesn't waver (3/2). THE FRENCH ARE PARALYMPIC CHAMPIONS!
Bronze for Brazil
Earlier in the day, the Brazilians, unbeaten (until last Thursday) in the competition since its introduction to the Games in 2004, managed to claim bronze in the third-place play-off against Colombia. After a tight encounter, the five-time Paralympic champions won 1-0.