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Sports125 words1 min read

Courtois Out Just Before El Clasico

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Listen to the story

Thibaut Courtois is a goalkeeper for Real Madrid. He is from Belgium. Real Madrid had a big game soon. The game was against Barcelona. This game is called El Clasico. It is a very famous match in Spain.

Courtois got sick just before the game. This is called a last-minute problem. The team did not know about it early. His illness was a big surprise for Real Madrid.

Now people ask: will Courtois play in El Clasico? Real Madrid must find another goalkeeper if he cannot play. This is a problem for the team before such an important match.

El Clasico is one of the biggest games in football. Fans want to know more news about Courtois. Everyone waits to see what happens next.

Vocabulary15 words

goalkeeper
the player who stops the ball from going into the goal
El Clasico
a very famous football match between Real Madrid and Barcelona
last-minute
happening just before something starts
surprise
something you did not expect
illness
being sick
absence
not being there
team
a group of players who play together
match
a game between two teams
famous
known by many people
problem
something difficult to deal with
news
new information about something
fans
people who like and support a team
important
having big value or meaning
player
a person who plays a sport
sick
not feeling well

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Quiz

1. What is Thibaut Courtois's position?
2. Why might Courtois not play in El Clasico?
3. El Clasico is a match between Real Madrid and which team?

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Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Thibaut _____ is a goalkeeper for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid had a big game against _____.

This game is called El _____.

Courtois got _____ just before the game.

This is called a _____ problem.

His illness was a big _____ for Real Madrid.

Will Courtois _____ in El Clasico?

Real Madrid must find another _____ if he cannot play.

El Clasico is one of the biggest _____ in football.

Fans want to know more _____ about Courtois.

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