Portugal Play Well Without Cristiano Ronaldo
Listen to the story
Portugal faced Denmark in a Nations League match without their star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, but they still put in a strong performance.
According to reports, Portugal looked confident and played attractive football even without CR7. Some are saying that the debate about whether the team needs Ronaldo is now over.
During the match, Danish striker Rasmus Højlund scored a goal and celebrated in a way that got attention. He used Ronaldo's famous goal celebration, a pose the Portuguese star is known for around the world.
Many people believe Højlund's celebration was a joke aimed at Ronaldo and Portugal. It seemed to send a message that Denmark was not intimidated by Ronaldo's absence.
The Nations League is a competition between European national football teams. Matches like this one draw a lot of attention, especially when a famous player like Ronaldo is missing.
The moment with Højlund has become a talking point beyond the result of the match itself. Fans and commentators have discussed both Portugal's performance and the young striker's cheeky gesture.
This situation shows how even when a superstar is absent, football still provides exciting and sometimes funny moments.
Vocabulary5 words
- Nations League
- a big football competition between European countries
- debate
- a discussion where people disagree
- celebration
- something a player does to show happiness after a goal
- intimidated
- made to feel afraid or less confident
- competition
- an event where teams or players try to win
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Quiz
Answer key
1. They played well without Ronaldo 2. He copied Ronaldo's celebration 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Portugal faced Denmark in a _____ match without their star player, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal looked confident and played attractive football even without _____.
Some are saying that the _____ about whether the team needs Ronaldo is now over.
Danish striker Rasmus Højlund scored a goal and _____ in a way that got attention.
He used Ronaldo's famous goal celebration, a _____ the Portuguese star is known for.
Many people believe Højlund's celebration was a _____ aimed at Ronaldo and Portugal.
It seemed to send a message that Denmark was not _____ by Ronaldo's absence.
The Nations League is a _____ between European national football teams.
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