Sport Week: Top moments in football 5-a-side

Brazil have won every Paralympic gold since the introduction of the sport in 2004 07 Apr 2020
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Brazil football 5-a-side
Brazil are unbeaten at Paralympic Games
ⒸMarcus Hartmann
By IPC

Find below some of the best moments of football 5-a-side at the Paralympic Games.

Brazil claim first Paralympic gold

Fierce rivals Argentina had taken the world title two years before in Rio de Janeiro, but Brazil travelled to Greece optimistic about taking revenge at the Athens 2004 Paralympics. And they did following a 3-2 win on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Iran surprise Argentina

Everything seemed set for an awaited Brazil-Argentina final at Rio 2016. However, the Iranian caused arguably the biggest upset in football 5-a-side history by defeating Argentina 2-1 on penalties in the semi-finals.

First African goal

Morocco became the first African football 5-a-side team to debut at the Paralympics. Reigning champions Brazil were their rivals in the first game of Rio 2016, with Abderrazak Hattab scoring the opening goal. The hosts quickly bounced back to claim the 3-1 victory, but it was nevertheless a historical day for Morocco and Africa.

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a male blind football player
Abderrazak Hattab facing Jefinho Ⓒ Getty Images

Jefinho’s Maradona-like goal

The scoreboard read China 1 – Brazil 0 in the Rio 2016 semifinals when Jefinho got hold of the ball in three quarters of the field. He made a fine run before facing his first defender, then made a feint for the left side and filtered down to the last line of resistance. Jefinho made the diagonal and got rid of the last opponent before shooting to score arguably the best football 5-a-side goal in Paralympic history. He went on to score a second to give Brazil the victory.

Brazilian home victory

Brazil had won all three Paralympic tournaments, but this one was special as it was going to take place in front of their home crowd in Rio de Janeiro. And Brazil did not disappoint, winning four matches, including the final against Iran, to take the coveted gold.

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Brazilian blind football player Ricardinho controls the ball while two Turkish defenders try to take it from him
Ricardinho controls the ball Ⓒ Getty Images