ENS

Level-graded English lessons with reading, listening, activities, and discussion.

Lesson Info

Type
Article
Level
3 / B1
Published
Title
Argentina and Cabo Verde Battle
Webpage
https://eslnewsstories.com/articles/2026-07-10-argentina-and-cabo-verde-battle/

Lesson Content

Warm-up, Vocab List, Reading and Audio

Understanding: Main Idea, True or False, Put Events in Order, Multiple Choice

Language: Words That Go Together

Use It: Discussion Builder, Sentence Unscramble, Discussion Questions

Answers

(1) Do you like watching football?

(2) Have you ever played football?

A soccer field background and circular flags representing Argentina and Cabo Verde
A soccer field background and circular flags representing Argentina and Cabo Verde

Vocab List

come close (phr.) — To almost do something or almost achieve something.
equalize (v.) — To score a goal that makes the game tied.
upset (n.) — A surprising result when a weaker team beats a stronger team.
penalty area (n. phr.) — The area in front of the goal where the goalkeeper can use their hands.
defending champions (n. phr.) — The team that won the last tournament and is trying to win again.
extra time (n. phr.) — Extra playing time added when a match is still tied.
hydration break (n. phr.) — A short break in a match when players drink water.
curling shot (n. phr.) — A shot that bends through the air.
possession (n.) — Control of the ball during a game.
corner (n.) — A kick taken from the corner of the field.
Reading

Cabo Verde came close to one of the biggest surprises in World Cup history when they faced Argentina in Miami.

This was Cabo Verde’s first World Cup, while Argentina entered the tournament as the defending champions. Argentina were also led by Lionel Messi, one of football’s greatest players and the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer.

Argentina took the lead after the first hydration break. Messi controlled a long pass and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Vozinha. The goal was Messi’s 20th at a World Cup.

After halftime, Argentina had most of the possession, but Cabo Verde equalized. One of their players received the ball in the penalty area and scored to make it 1-1.

Vozinha then made several important saves, and the match went to extra time. Argentina quickly took the lead again with a powerful shot from close range. But Cabo Verde refused to give up and scored with an excellent curling shot from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-2.

With ten minutes left, Messi sent a corner into the penalty area. The ball hit a Cabo Verde defender and went into the net, giving Argentina a 3-2 win and a place in the Round of 16.

Cabo Verde’s World Cup journey was over, but in their first appearance at the tournament, they had nearly produced a huge upset.

Argentina and Cabo Verde Battle

Level 3 Article Source: fifa.com
Warm-up → or → Check Understanding → Language → Use It

A soccer field background and circular flags representing Argentina and Cabo Verde
A soccer field background and circular flags representing Argentina and Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde came close to one of the biggest surprises in World Cup history when they faced Argentina in Miami.

This was Cabo Verde’s first World Cup, while Argentina entered the tournament as the defending champions. Argentina were also led by Lionel Messi, one of football’s greatest players and the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer.

Argentina took the lead after the first hydration break. Messi controlled a long pass and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Vozinha. The goal was Messi’s 20th at a World Cup.

After halftime, Argentina had most of the possession, but Cabo Verde equalized. One of their players received the ball in the penalty area and scored to make it 1-1.

Vozinha then made several important saves, and the match went to extra time. Argentina quickly took the lead again with a powerful shot from close range. But Cabo Verde refused to give up and scored with an excellent curling shot from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-2.

With ten minutes left, Messi sent a corner into the penalty area. The ball hit a Cabo Verde defender and went into the net, giving Argentina a 3-2 win and a place in the Round of 16.

Cabo Verde’s World Cup journey was over, but in their first appearance at the tournament, they had nearly produced a huge upset.

Speaker: British Female  Duration: 1:49  YouTube

Listen Closely

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:

Cabo Verde came close to one of the biggest (1) in World Cup history when they faced Argentina in Miami.

This was Cabo Verde's first World Cup, while Argentina entered the tournament as the (2) champions. Argentina were also led by Lionel Messi, one of football's greatest players and the World Cup's all-time leading scorer.

Argentina took the (3) after the first hydration break. Messi controlled a long pass and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Vozinha. The goal was Messi's 20th at a World Cup.

After halftime, Argentina had most of the (4) , but Cabo Verde equalized. One of their players received the ball in the penalty area and scored to make it 1-1.

Vozinha then made several important saves, and the match went to extra time. Argentina quickly took the lead again with a powerful shot from close range. But Cabo Verde refused to give up and scored with an excellent (5) shot from the edge of the penalty area to make it 2-2.

With ten minutes left, Messi sent a corner into the penalty area. The ball hit a Cabo Verde defender and went into the net, giving Argentina a 3-2 (6) and a place in the Round of 16.

Cabo Verde's World Cup journey was over, but in their first appearance at the tournament, they had nearly produced a huge upset.

Listen and Fill Gaps

Loading listening activity...

Discussion Builder

  1. Q: Why did most people expect Argentina to win the match?

    A:

  3. Q: Do you prefer to watch a close game or an easy win for one side?

    A:
Use It

Discussion Builder

Choose the best phrase for each gap:

  1. Q: Why did most people expect Argentina to win the match?

    A: Most people expected Argentina to win they were the defending champions.

    and / because / but / so

    Most people expected Argentina to win because they were the defending champions.

  2. Argentina looked stronger on paper, Cabo Verde still made the match very close.

    because / so / but / and

    Argentina looked stronger on paper, but Cabo Verde still made the match very close.

  3. Q: Do you prefer to watch a close game or an easy win for one side?

    A: close games are more exciting than easy wins.

    I think / But, / Also, / For example,

    I think close games are more exciting than easy wins.

Sentence Unscramble

Sentence Unscramble

  1. A. Cabo Verde B. because C. would feel proud D. they pushed E. Argentina F. I think G. so close.

    I think Cabo Verde would feel proud because they pushed Argentina so close.

  2. A. are more exciting B. close games C. easy wins, D. for me E. to watch. F. Compared with

    Compared with easy wins, close games are more exciting for me to watch.

  3. A. with courage. B. support underdogs C. they play D. many fans E. when F. In my country,

    In my country, many fans support underdogs when they play with courage.

Discussion Questions
  1. Did you watch Cabo Verde vs Argentina? How was it?
  2. Why did most people expect Argentina to win the match?
  3. Do you prefer to watch a close game or an easy win for one side?
  4. How would you rank Messi among all-time football players?
  5. Do you enjoy stories where the weaker team almost wins? Why or why not?
  6. How would Cabo Verde's players feel after this match?
  7. Do you think teams in their first World Cup can play with less pressure? Why?
  8. What kind of match do you prefer: many goals or strong defense?
  9. Why do people like to see an underdog do well?
  10. Which sport is the most exciting to watch? Is it football or another sport?

Discussion Questions

  1. Did you watch Cabo Verde vs Argentina? How was it?
  2. Why did most people expect Argentina to win the match?
  3. Do you prefer to watch a close game or an easy win for one side?
  4. How would you rank Messi among all-time football players?
  5. Do you enjoy stories where the weaker team almost wins? Why or why not?
  6. How would Cabo Verde's players feel after this match?
  7. Do you think teams in their first World Cup can play with less pressure? Why?
  8. What kind of match do you prefer: many goals or strong defense?
  9. Why do people like to see an underdog do well?
  10. Which sport is the most exciting to watch? Is it football or another sport?

Answers Argentina and Cabo Verde Battle / Level 3

Listening: (1) surprises, (2) defending, (3) lead, (4) possession, (5) curling, (6) win

Main Idea: Cabo Verde almost beat a much stronger team.

True or False:

  1. True. The second paragraph says this was Cabo Verde's first World Cup.
  2. False. The third paragraph says Argentina took the lead after the first hydration break.
  3. True. The fourth paragraph says Cabo Verde equalized after halftime to make it 1-1.
  4. False. The sixth paragraph says Argentina won 3-2 after a late own goal.

Multiple Choice: a, c, a, a

Put Events in Order:

  1. Cabo Verde lined up to face Argentina in the World Cup.
  2. Messi scored after the first hydration break to give Argentina the lead.
  3. Cabo Verde equalized after halftime to make it 1-1.
  4. Both teams scored in extra time, and the match became 2-2.
  5. Argentina won late when Messi's corner led to an own goal.

Vocabulary:

  1. Take: the lead
  2. Level: the score
  3. Keep: possession
  1. Go: into extra time
  2. Refuse: to give up
  3. Produce: a huge upset

Discussion Builder:

Hints: 1) Reason. 2) Contrast. 3) Opinion.

  1. because
  2. but
  3. I think

Sentence Unscramble:

  1. I think Cabo Verde would feel proud because they pushed Argentina so close.
  2. Compared with easy wins, close games are more exciting for me to watch.
  3. In my country, many fans support underdogs when they play with courage.

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