Almost two weeks have passed since that goal, but Souheil Mouhoudine’s face still beams with pride on mentioning it.

Like Michael Jordan’s iconic buzzer-beater against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA play-offs in May 1989, this stalwart of the French futsal team heard the buzzer sound just after the ball crossed the goal line. He had just secured France a 2-1 win over Croatia in Zagreb on matchday four of the elite round of UEFA qualifying for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024™.

On this day in 1989: THE SHOT.

Michael Jordan hit one of the most iconic buzzer beaters of all-time to beat the Cavs in Game 5 to win the first round series. pic.twitter.com/a81O6mjIap

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 7, 2018
Following the dramatic, late win on 10 October, Les Bleus are now on the brink of reaching the FIFA Futsal World Cup™ for the first time.

“After the goal, there were a lot of emotions, including joy and satisfaction for the whole squad,” the 28-year-old told FIFA. “Our captain Abdessamad [Mohammed] was suspended for this game, but he told me he’d be watching from behind the goal. So he had confidence in me and knew I was going to score.

“When I eventually did score, the first people I saw were the head of the our delegation, Abdessamad and our 15th and 16th squad members, who were in the stands. We ran straight to celebrate with them, and the whole bench followed me! It was really nice to share the moment with everyone who has carried the team along.”