Argentina Beats Bolivia in Friendly Without Messi
Listen to the story
Argentina played a friendly match against Bolivia. Lionel Messi did not play in this game. A young player led the team instead. This player plays for Palmeiras, a club in Brazil. People call him a joia, which means a talented young star. He helped Argentina win the match with a big score. Argentina scored many goals. This kind of big win is called a rout.
Another player, who people call 'Flaco,' did not play well. In football, when a player does not score or play well, people say he 'disenchants' fans. This means he disappoints them. Fans wanted more from him in this match.
The match was a friendly, so it does not count in official competitions. Teams use these matches to try new players. Coaches also use them to test new tactics. This match happened in Bolivia. Argentina's team showed they have strong young players, even without Messi.
Vocabulary5 words
- friendly
- a game that is not official; just for practice
- joia
- a word for a young talented player; means 'jewel'
- goals
- points scored in football
- rout
- a very big win in a game
- tactics
- a plan for how to play a game
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Quiz
Answer key
1. No 2. Palmeiras 3. He played badly, disappointing fans
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Argentina played a friendly match against _____.
Lionel _____ did not play in this game.
A young player led the _____ instead.
This player plays for _____, a club in Brazil.
People call him a joia, which means a talented young _____.
Argentina scored many _____.
This kind of big win is called a _____.
Another player, who people call '_____,' did not play well.
In football, when a player does not play well, people say he 'disenchants' _____.
The match was a friendly, so it does not count in official _____.
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