Fluentide · Chinese Listening — HSK 1

Austria 3-1 Jordan. Romano Schmid put Austria ahead in the 20th; Ali Olwan equalized for World Cup debutants Jordan in the 50th (Jordan's first ever World Cup goal); an own goal by Jordan's Yazan Al Arab made it 2-1 in the 76th; and veteran Marko Arnautovic converted a stoppage-time penalty for 3-1. The win was Austria's first at a World Cup in 36 years; Jordan, on debut, fell just short of becoming the first nation to win its World Cup debut match since Senegal in 2002.

Austria Beat Jordan 3-1

HSK 1 level · 5:06

• 想 (xiǎng) — to want; to think
• 高兴 (gāoxìng) — happy
• 知道 (zhīdào) — to know
• 开心 (kāixīn) — happy, glad
• 回家 (huí jiā) — to go home
• 进球 (jìnqiú) — to score; a goal
• 球迷 (qiúmí) — fan (of a team)
• 球员 (qiúyuán) — player

• 可是… — 'but' — introduces a contrast.
• 因为… — 'because' — gives a reason.
• 不管…，都… — 'no matter …, (still) …' — regardless of the condition.

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Argentina 3-0 Algeria in Group J in Kansas City. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick (17', 60', 76'), tying the all-time World Cup goalscoring record (16 goals, level with Miroslav Klose). Argentina, the defending champions, controlled the game from start to finish; Algeria fought but had no answer for Messi. A historic, dominant performance from Messi and a perfect opener for the holders.

Argentina Beat Algeria 3-0

HSK 1 level · 5:13

• 高兴 (gāoxìng) — happy
• 知道 (zhīdào) — to know
• 喜欢 (xǐhuan) — to like
• 名字 (míngzi) — name
• 想 (xiǎng) — to want; to think
• 进球 (jìnqiú) — to score; a goal
• 强 (qiáng) — strong
• 厉害 (lìhai) — amazing, impressive

• 因为… — 'because' — gives a reason.
• 越来越… — 'more and more …'.
• 不过… — 'however / but' — a soft contrast.

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Iraq 1-4 Norway. Norway's return to the World Cup after many years, and Erling Haaland's long-awaited World Cup debut. Haaland scored in the 28th to make it 1-0; Iraq's Aymen Hussein headed an equalizer around the 38th (1-1); Haaland restored the lead in the 42nd (2-1); captain Odegaard's corner was headed in by Ostigard in the 76th (3-1); and a late Iraq own goal made it 4-1. Haaland's brace on debut and a statement win for a returning Norway side.

Norway Beat Iraq 4-1

HSK 1 level · 5:04

• 喜欢 (xǐhuan) — to like
• 知道 (zhīdào) — to know
• 名字 (míngzi) — name
• 高兴 (gāoxìng) — happy
• 现在 (xiànzài) — now
• 进球 (jìnqiú) — to score; a goal
• 强队 (qiángduì) — a strong team
• 球迷 (qiúmí) — fan (of a team)

• 可是… — 'but' — introduces a contrast.
• 越来越… — 'more and more …'.
• 因为… — 'because' — gives a reason.

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France 3-1 Senegal in their Group I opener. Senegal pushed the favorites hard and the game was 0-0 at the break, with Jackson hitting the post and Sarr going over. Mbappe broke the deadlock in the 66th, Barcola made it 2-0 in the 82nd, Mbaye pulled one back for Senegal in stoppage time (90+5), and Mbappe added his second in 90+6. Mbappe's brace made him France's all-time leading scorer, passing Giroud (58 goals). A hard-fought win for France and another sign of African football's rise.

France Beat Senegal 3-1

HSK 1 level · 5:22

• 喜欢 (xǐhuan) — to like
• 知道 (zhīdào) — to know
• 高兴 (gāoxìng) — happy
• 想 (xiǎng) — to want; to think
• 名字 (míngzi) — name
• 进球 (jìnqiú) — to score; a goal
• 强队 (qiángduì) — a strong team
• 球迷 (qiúmí) — fan (of a team)

• 可是… — 'but' — introduces a contrast, slightly softer than 但是.
• 因为… — 'because' — gives a reason.
• 越来越… — 'more and more …' — a growing change over time.

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Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay in their Group H opener in Miami. Saudi Arabia stunned the favorites by taking the lead late in the first half through a header from defender Al-Amri off a corner; they then defended deep and resolutely for nearly 80 minutes before Uruguay finally equalized in the 79th minute through Maxi Araujo. A great, confident point for Saudi Arabia, a frustrating near-upset escape for the South American heavyweights — and another reminder of Asian football's rise.

Uruguay and Saudi Arabia Draw 1–1

HSK 1 level · 5:08

• 喜欢 (xǐhuan) — to like
• 知道 (zhīdào) — to know
• 觉得 (juéde) — to feel, to think
• 高兴 (gāoxìng) — happy
• 想 (xiǎng) — to want; to think
• 进球 (jìnqiú) — to score; a goal
• 踢平 (tī píng) — to draw, to finish level
• 强队 (qiángduì) — a strong team

• 没想到… — 'unexpectedly / who would have thought' — introduces a surprise.
• 对…来说，… — 'as for … / for …' — marks whose perspective you're taking.
• 越来越… — 'more and more …' — a growing change over time.

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Belgium 1-1 Egypt in their Group G opener in Seattle. Egypt took a surprise early lead through Ashour; the favorites Belgium struggled to break down a disciplined Egypt, brought on star striker Lukaku, and equalized shortly after via an own goal. A frustrating draw for Belgium, a confident, hard-won point for Egypt — and another sign of African football's rise.

Belgium and Egypt Draw 1–1

HSK 1 level · 5:13

• 喜欢 (xǐhuan) — to like
• 知道 (zhīdào) — to know
• 高兴 (gāoxìng) — happy
• 进球 (jìnqiú) — to score; a goal
• 踢平 (tī píng) — to draw, finish level
• 落后 (luòhòu) — to be behind, trailing
• 追 (zhuī) — to chase, catch up
• 意外 (yìwài) — surprising, unexpected

• 没想到，… — 'Unexpectedly / who'd have thought, …'.
• 而且… — 'And also / what's more …' adds a further point.
• 不是…，就一定… — 'it's not that … is necessarily …' corrects an assumption.

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The shock of the tournament so far: World Cup debutants Cape Verde hold reigning European champions Spain to a 0-0 in their Group H opener in Atlanta. Spain dominated and fired off well over 20 shots but couldn't break through a disciplined Cape Verde low block and an inspired goalkeeper. A historic point for the tiny island nation; a wake-up call for the favorites.

Cape Verde Hold Off Spain

HSK 1 level · 5:18

• 喜欢 (xǐhuan) — to like
• 知道 (zhīdào) — to know
• 高兴 (gāoxìng) — happy
• 奇怪 (qíguài) — strange
• 进球 (jìnqiú) — to score; a goal
• 守门员 (shǒuményuán) — goalkeeper
• 挡 (dǎng) — to block, save
• 踢平 (tī píng) — to draw, finish level

• 一次一次地… — 'again and again' — a repeated action.
• 越…越… — 'The more …, the more …'.
• 不是…，就一定… — 'it's not that … is necessarily …' — corrects an assumption.

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Sweden rout Tunisia 5-1 in their Group F opener. Sweden's potent forward line ran riot — a brace from one striker plus goals spread across the team — overwhelming a Tunisia side known for its grit; Tunisia grabbed a late consolation. A statement opening win and a big goal-difference boost for Sweden.

Sweden Beat Tunisia Big

HSK 1 level · 5:18

• 喜欢 (xǐhuan) — to like
• 知道 (zhīdào) — to know
• 高兴 (gāoxìng) — happy
• 努力 (nǔlì) — to try hard
• 足球 (zúqiú) — football, soccer
• 进球 (jìnqiú) — to score; a goal
• 赢 (yíng) — to win
• 球员 (qiúyuán) — player

• 一个一个地… — 'one by one' — an action repeating, one at a time.
• 虽然…，可是… — 'Although …, but …'.
• 有时候…，有时候… — 'Sometimes …, sometimes …'.

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Netherlands and Japan play out a 2-2 thriller in their Group F opener in Dallas. The Netherlands led twice (a Van Dijk header and a second from a young forward), but Japan, a rising Asian side, fought back each time and snatched a dramatic equalizer in the closing minutes. End-to-end, high quality, and a statement about Asian football's rise. Both teams take a point.

Netherlands and Japan Draw 2–2

HSK 1 level · 5:13

• 喜欢 (xǐhuan) — to like
• 知道 (zhīdào) — to know
• 高兴 (gāoxìng) — happy
• 努力 (nǔlì) — to try hard
• 进球 (jìnqiú) — to score; a goal
• 踢平 (tī píng) — to draw, finish level
• 追 (zhuī) — to chase, catch up
• 落后 (luòhòu) — to be behind, trailing

• 你…我… — 'you …, I …' — describes two sides taking turns / going back and forth.
• 可是… — 'But …' introduces a contrast.
• 又…了 — 又 + verb + 了 — did something again.

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Germany thrash World Cup debutants Curaçao 7-1 in their Group E opener in Houston. A traditional powerhouse and multiple-time champion overwhelms one of the smallest nations ever to reach a World Cup, with a brace from one player; Curaçao score a historic consolation goal — their first ever at a World Cup. Theme: the gulf between giants and minnows, and the romance of a tiny nation's debut.

Germany Beat Curaçao Big

HSK 1 level · 5:06

• 喜欢 (xǐhuan) — to like, to love
• 知道 (zhīdào) — to know
• 高兴 (gāoxìng) — happy
• 努力 (nǔlì) — to try hard
• 足球 (zúqiú) — football, soccer
• 进球 (jìnqiú) — to score; a goal
• 赢 (yíng) — to win
• 输 (shū) — to lose

• 一个一个地… — 'one by one' — describes an action happening repeatedly, one at a time.
• 虽然…，可是… — 'Although …, but …'.
• 因为… — 'Because …' gives a reason.

Get more from this episode at fluentide.com:

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