Paris 2024: Best blind football moments

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were packed with memorable moments, including athletic feats and historic firsts, that took place at stunning venues in front of a vocal crowd.

We will share three moments from each sport that made the Games very special.

Top moment

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. Hosts France beat Argentina 3-2 on penalties, with Frederic Villeroux scoring the winner in the shootout following a 1-1 draw in regular time.

It was a moment that history was made. Brazil had won every edition of the tournament since blind football was introduced in 2004.

"It felt like the script of a film,” Villeroux said after the gold medal match.

“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.” 

Biggest surprise

In perhaps the biggest shock of the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Argentina beat five-time Paralympic champions Brazil in the semifinals. Brazil’s hopes for a sixth gold medal were dashed after suffering a 4-3 loss on penalties after two scoreless haves.

Paralympic debutant Osvaldo Fernandez scored the winning shot.

“It’s a dream for every kid from Argentina. It’s something beautiful, a unique feeling. When I started my career, my teammates tried and fought a lot against Brazil, and I got to join the team at the best moment,” he said.

“When I took that ball to hit the penalty, it felt like it weighed a thousand kilos. The tension was incredible, I hit it and I didn’t know if it went in or not. When I realised it did, I felt great relief more than anything.”

Brazil finished the tournament with bronze after beating Colombia, who were competing at the Paralympic Games for the first time. Jeferson Da Conceicao Goncalves netted the only goal in Brazil’s 1-0 win.

“This team never gave up,” said Da Conceicao Goncalves, known as Jefinho. “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.”

Home hero

Frederic Vileroux led the host country’s successful, history-making campaign at the Eiffel Tower Stadium. He scored with less than five minutes on the clock in the semifinals against Colombia, before he shot the winner in the penalty shootout against Argentina.

He celebrated with his teammates and the sell-out crowd of 11,000 at the foot of France’s most iconic landmark.

 Vileroux refused to take individual credit for France’s victory, instead heaping praise on his teammates and the crowd.

"I'm not a superhero, the whole team are. This is a team formed by superheroes, and the fans were superheroes, too."