Zidane Celebrates Wild as Olise Scores Late Winner for France
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France defeated Belgium 1-0 in a Nations League Group 1 match, thanks to a late goal from Michael Olise. The win keeps France in a strong position in the competition.
Olise scored the winning goal in the 88th minute, just before the end of the game. It was the only goal of the match, and it gave France a hard-fought victory.
Coach Zinedine Zidane, known as a former French football star, could not hide his joy on the touchline when the goal went in. Video showed him running in celebration.
After the match, Zidane spoke about his reaction. He explained that he began to run as soon as he saw Olise set off towards goal. "I accompanied him when I saw him go, I was fully with him," Zidane said.
Zidane also spoke more generally about the qualities he wants from his players. He said this kind of late, determined goal is exactly what he wants to see from his team, Les Bleus.
The victory over Belgium shows France's ability to stay patient and score even when a game looks difficult. Under Zidane, the team appears focused on fighting until the final whistle.
Vocabulary10 words
- Nations League
- a football competition between European national teams
- touchline
- the line at the edge of a football pitch, where coaches stand
- celebration
- an action showing happiness after something good happens
- victory
- a win in a game or competition
- accompanied
- went along with someone or something
- determined
- showing strong effort to reach a goal
- whistle
- a sound made to show the game has ended
- coach
- the person who leads and trains a sports team
- former
- someone who used to have a role, but not now
- hard-fought
- won after a lot of effort and difficulty
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Quiz
Answer key
1. 88th minute 2. The Nations League 3. He ran with Olise in his mind as soon as he saw him set off
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
France defeated Belgium 1-0 in a _____ Group 1 match, thanks to a late goal from Michael Olise.
Olise scored the winning goal in the 88th _____, just before the end of the game.
Coach Zinedine Zidane could not hide his joy on the _____ when the goal went in.
He explained that he began to run as soon as he saw Olise set off towards _____.
"I _____ him when I saw him go, I was fully with him," Zidane said.
He said this kind of late, _____ goal is exactly what he wants to see from his team.
The _____ over Belgium shows France's ability to stay patient and score even when a game looks difficult.
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