Ukraine grab extra-time winner to beat Iran in thrilling Paralympics seven-a-side football final at Rio 2016

Insidethegames - Artem Krasylnykov struck a dramatic extra-time winner to ensure Ukraine won the Paralympic football seven-a-side gold medal as they beat Iran 2-1 in a thrilling final at the Deodoro Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.


With the scores locked at 1-1, Krasylnykov found the net five minutes into the second period of additional time before the Ukraine's defence held firm in the wake of continued pressure from the Iranians, who pushed everyone forward in search of a last-gasp equaliser.

Volodymyr Antoniuk had got the Ukrainians off to the best possible start with a well-worked goal towards the end of the first half.

Barely 60 seconds later, Ivan Dotsenko wasted an excellent chance to double the European side's lead, ensuring Iran, bronze medallists at London 2012, went into the break trailing by just a solitary goal.

Ukraine, winners of consecutive Paralympic titles at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, continued to create chances but they were not able to convert and the Iranians took full advantage on the 50 minute mark.

After Farzad Mehri was unfortunate to see his effort come back into play off the upright, Mehdi Jamali was able to restore parity for the Asian nation, sparking wild scenes of celebration and relief among their playing and coaching staff.

Vitali Romanchuk also hit the post early on in extra-time and, just as it looked as though the gold medal match would go to penalties, Krasylnykov popped up with the vital goal to hand the Ukraine their third Paralympic crown.

In the presence of legendary Brazilian defender Cafu, a two-time FIFA World Cup winner, the host nation gave the crowd something to cheer as they overcame The Netherlands 3-1 in the bronze medal match.

Leandro Goncalves proved to be the start of the show for Brazil as he netted a hat-trick, with Jeroen Schuitert's scoring a consolation for the Dutch, who were outplayed for large periods of the encounter.

"We fought a lot to get this medal," Goncalves said.

"Sadly we could not win gold but anyway, we are happy because we all know that it was not easy."

On the praise he received post match from Cafu, he added: "I am so happy because of this.

"He is a legend.

"Someday I will tell my sons, 'Cafu said I am a very good player'."


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