Paris 2024: Argentina blind football wins big: Argentina defeated five-time Paralympic winners Brazil on penalties to advance to the Paris 2024 Paralympics blind football final. After two scoreless halves, Brazil lost 4-3 on penalties to end their dreams of a sixth gold medal at the Games.
Osvaldo Fernandez calmly netted the winning kick at the Eiffel Tower Stadium after a guide hit the goalpost to indicate the net. The 26-year-old Paralympic debutant lifted his fist and celebrated with his teammates on the pitch.
“Every Argentine kid dreams of it. The emotion is wonderful and distinct. Fernandez stated he joined the club at the right time after his colleagues fought Brazil in his early career.
Argentina will play hosts France in Saturday’s final at the Eiffel Tower Stadium, the same matchup Argentina won in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Argentina will play in the final for the third time, most recently winning silver in Tokyo 2020.
A dream
Fernandez was thinking a lot with the penalty shootout tied 3-3. He contemplated his career, family, and cancer while preparing in silence. While walking to the ball, I thought about my dad, my nephew, my family, and my two-year-old cancer victory. All chemo. I considered everything. So I cried when we won, he remarked.
This match ended after Brazil’s Ricardo Steinmetz Alves missed a penalty. The five-time champions will play Paralympic debutants Colombia for bronze. This hurts. I couldn’t score following a free kick late in the game. These games are always determined by small nuances. Ricardo Steinmetz Alves of Brazil called Argentina strong.
Missing my penalty hurts. Many great players miss critical penalties at some time in their careers. That fate fell on me today.” Argentinians celebrated each other in a circle on the pitch. After these Games, experienced player Froilan Padilla will retire.
Argentina expects France, the defending European champions, to challenge them in their greatest encounter with a day to prepare. The fans will encourage them. We know that the crowd will be against us, but we will try to enjoy the match. We hope it will be for us because everyone will be against us.
Battle for gold
France defeated Colombia 1-0 in the first semifinal after Frederic Villeroux scored with only five minutes left. France has reached the eight-team competition finals twice. Colombia is a great team. These quick guys are having a wonderful tournament. The game was close, and I’m glad we won, Villeroux remarked.
The contest began in rainy weather, but it stopped and the audience grew louder. Fans waved flags and sang French songs when the ball left the field. While blind football is played, spectators must be silent. Eyeshades are worn as competitors play with a bell-filled ball.
New fans joined the sport during the Paralympics. The match was fantastic. The first time, loved it. A 27-year-old French fan stated, “I did not know the sport existed – it was my first time but I want to see other games.” She recounted how she fell in love with the sport.
On 3 September, Colombia defeated Tokyo 2020 bronze medalists Morocco 1-0 to advance to the semifinals. Despite losing to the hosts, Colombian Lino Nicolas Coca Castro remains optimistic about the team’s potential to become a football powerhouse and top the podium. I’m grateful to the team because Colombia will be in more Paralympics from here,” he remarked.
