Courtois Out Just Before El Clasico
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
Quiz
Answer key
1. Goalkeeper 2. He got sick 3. Barcelona
โ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going โ book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
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.
๐ Enjoyed this story?
Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.

