Messi scores greatest World Cup win for Argentina

An EFL and ESL English Lesson

Lesson Collection
A photo of the FIFA World Cup Trophy.

Date: 8th January 2023

Level: C1 Advanced

Grammar: Superlatives

Topics: Sport, Celebrities & People, Countries & Places

Printables: 10-Page Lesson, Single-Page Lesson

Lesson

Text

Messi scores greatest World Cup win for Argentina

In a World Cup victory elusive to Argentina since 1986, Lionel Messi received the greatest possible glory for their win against France. Messi netted two goals and France’s star player Kylian Mbappé scored a three goal hat-trick. But after 120 minutes in the most dramatic finale ever it was tied 3-3 and Argentina scored the winning penalty. Messi roared “Let’s go, Argentina!” and held his first World Cup trophy aloft.

While Mbappé scored the first World Cup final hat-trick since 1966, Messi had the largest domination by far during the Qatari World Cup. This stakes his claim with fellow Argentine Diego Maradona as one of the best players ever. Having the World Cup title on his résumé puts Messi in the highest possible slot, above footballing counterparts like Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Argentina had the slowest momentum by far when they lost their first match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia. After this hottest controversy ever for Argentina, Messi played with his strongest aggression yet. Embracing his fans’ passion, he became the first ever player to score in the group stage, the round of 16, the quarter-finals and semi-finals, and the final.

It was Mbappé though with eight goals who poached the Golden Boot trophy, awarded to the tournament’s top scorer. Messi received the Golden Ball trophy for being the tournament’s most skillful player by far. He scored seven goals throughout the tournament’s span. As the win sparked the wildest celebrations yet, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, “The match was completely insane”.

Information sources (external links): apnews.com, edition.cnn.com

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Warm-up activities and vocabulary

Activities:

What does it feel like to achieve a long-term goal? What does it feel like to not achieve one? For example, a personal goal, a sporting goal, or a professional goal?

Think of your favourite sport or game. Which is better — being a player or being a spectator?

Can you think of ten words in total to describe sport that begin with the letters A, R, and G?

Vocabulary:

1. Scan the text and find a word or phrase that means:

  • fame (paragraph 1)(g...)
  • prize (paragraph 1)(t...)
  • marks (paragraph 2)(s...)
  • welcoming (paragraph 3)(e...)
  • crazy (paragraph 4)(i...)
Answers
  • glory, trophy, stakes, embracing, insane

2. What does the italicised word below mean — exclusive, unknown, or challenge?

  • elusive to Argentina since 1986
Answer
  • unknown

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Reading comprehension questions

  1. How many goals did Mbappé score in the final?
  2. How was the final score settled?
  3. Messi is likened to which famous footballer?
  4. Which footballer is Messi statistically better than?
  5. Where did Portugal finish in the World Cup?
  6. After losing his first game, what did Messi improve?
  7. Who scored in every round?
  8. Who scored more goals in the World Cup — Messi or Mbappé?
  9. Who is the Golden Ball trophy awarded to?
  10. What was Scaloni’s impression of the final?
  1. Maradona.
  2. Mbappé.
  3. On penalties.
  4. He loved it.
  5. His aggression.
  6. Three.
  7. Ronaldo.
  8. Messi.
  9. It doesn’t say.
  10. The best player.
Answers
  • 1F, 2C, 3A, 4G, 5I, 6E, 7H, 8B, 9J, 10D

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Phrases, synonyms, and antonyms match-up

Match the words on the left to their endings to make phrases from the text.

  1. most
  2. win
  3. hat-
  4. stakes
  5. netted
  6. by
  7. highest
  8. semi-
  9. tied
  10. footballing
  1. possible
  2. trick
  3. his claim
  4. counterparts
  5. skillful
  6. against
  7. two goals
  8. finals
  9. far
  10. 3-3
Answers
  • 1E, 2F, 3B, 4C, 5G, 6I, 7A, 8H, 9J, 10D

Match the words on the left from the text to their synonyms.

  1. roar
  2. counterpart
  3. slot
  4. net
  5. poach
  1. take
  2. shout
  3. get
  4. position
  5. equal
Answers
  • 1B, 2E, 3D, 4C, 5A

Match the words on the left from the text to their antonyms.

  1. insane
  2. controversy
  3. aggression
  1. agreement
  2. sane
  3. friendliness
Answers
  • 1B, 2A, 3C

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Grammar gap-fill cloze: superlatives

  1. hottest
  2. best
  3. largest
  4. greatest
  5. most skillful
  1. highest
  2. most dramatic
  3. strongest
  4. wildest
  5. slowest

In a World Cup victory elusive to Argentina since 1986, Lionel Messi received the 1._______________ possible glory for their win against France. Messi netted two goals and France’s star player Kylian Mbappé scored a three goal hat-trick. But after 120 minutes in the 2._______________ finale ever it was tied 3-3 and Argentina scored the winning penalty. Messi roared “Let’s go, Argentina!” and held his first World Cup trophy aloft.

While Mbappé scored the first World Cup final hat-trick since 1966, Messi had the 3._______________ domination by far during the Qatari World Cup. This stakes his claim with fellow Argentine Diego Maradona as one of the 4._______________ players ever. Having the World Cup title on his résumé puts Messi in the 5._______________ possible slot, above footballing counterparts like Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Argentina had the 6._______________ momentum by far when they lost their first match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia. After this 7._______________ controversy ever for Argentina, Messi played with his 8._______________ aggression yet. Embracing his fans’ passion, he became the first ever player to score in the group stage, the round of 16, the quarter-finals and semi-finals, and the final.

It was Mbappé though with eight goals who poached the Golden Boot trophy, awarded to the tournament’s top scorer. Messi received the Golden Ball trophy for being the tournament’s 9._______________ player by far. He scored seven goals throughout the tournament’s span. As the win sparked the 10._______________ celebrations yet, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, “The match was completely insane”.

Answers
  1. 1D, 2G, 3C, 4B, 5F, 6J, 7A, 8H, 9E, 10I

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Vocabulary multiple-choice cloze

In a World Cup victory elusive to Argentina since 1986, Lionel Messi received the greatest possible 1._______________ for their win against France. Messi netted two goals and France’s star player Kylian Mbappé scored a three goal hat-trick. But after 120 minutes in the most dramatic finale ever it was tied 3-3 and Argentina scored the winning penalty. Messi roared “Let’s go, Argentina!” and held his first World Cup 2._______________ aloft.

While Mbappé scored the first World Cup final hat-trick since 1966, Messi had the largest 3._______________ by far during the Qatari World Cup. This 4._______________ his claim with fellow Argentine Diego Maradona as one of the best players ever. Having the World Cup title on his résumé puts Messi in the highest possible slot, above footballing 5._______________ like Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Argentina had the slowest momentum by far when they lost their first match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia. After this hottest 6._______________ ever for Argentina, Messi played with his strongest 7._______________ yet. 8._______________ his fans’ passion, he became the first ever player to score in the group stage, the round of 16, the quarter-finals and semi-finals, and the final.

It was Mbappé though with eight goals who 9._______________ the Golden Boot trophy, awarded to the tournament’s top scorer. Messi received the Golden Ball trophy for being the tournament’s most skillful player by far. He scored seven goals throughout the tournament’s span. As the win 10._______________ the wildest celebrations yet, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, “The match was completely insane”.

1.
A. goalie
B. game
C. glory
D. grand
2.
A. sponsor
B. trophy
C. medal
D. manager
3.
A. power
B. dominate
C. powerful
D. domination
4.
A. takes
B. strikes
C. stakes
D. fakes
5.
A. fellowship
B. counterparts
C. colleagues
D. foremost
6.
A. controversy
B. controller
C. remake
D. rematch
7.
A. aggressive
B. aggression
C. aggressor
D. aggressively
8.
A. Approaching
B. Appealing
C. Embarking
D. Embracing
9.
A. poached
B. walked
C. kicked
D. headed
10.
A. sparked
B. scored
C. sounded
D. swapped
Answers
  1. 1C, 2B, 3D, 4C, 5B, 6A, 7B, 8D, 9A, 10A

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Writing cloze

  1. received the greatest possible l y o g r(g...)
  2. Messi o r a d r e “Let’s go, Argentina!”(r...)
  3. held his first World Cup y t p r o h aloft(t...)
  4. footballing u n o t e t a r s c r p like Ronaldo(c...)
  5. Argentina had the slowest t m o m n e m u(m...)
  6. hottest n r t c y o r e s o v ever for Argentina(c...)
  7. n a m i r b c e g his fans’ passion(e...)
  8. throughout the tournament’s p s n a(s...)
  9. the win p d r s k a e the wildest celebrations(s...)
  10. the match was completely n s i e a n(i...)
Answers
  1. GLORY
  2. ROARED
  3. TROPHY
  4. COUNTERPARTS
  5. MOMENTUM
  6. CONTROVERSY
  7. EMBRACING
  8. SPAN
  9. SPARKED
  10. INSANE

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Fill-in first letters

_n _ _orld _up _ictory _lusive _o _rgentina _ince 1986, _ionel _essi _eceived _he _reatest _ossible _lory _or _heir _in _gainst _rance.

_essi _etted _wo _oals _nd _rance’s _tar _layer _ylian _bappé _cored _ _hree _oal _at-_rick.

_ut _fter 120 _inutes _n _he _ost _ramatic _inale _ver _t _as _ied 3-3 _nd _rgentina _cored _he _inning _enalty.

_essi _oared “_et’s _o, _rgentina!” _nd _eld _is _irst _orld _up _rophy _loft.

_hile _bappé _cored _he _irst _orld _up _inal _at-_rick _ince 1966, _essi _ad _he _argest _omination _y _ar _uring _he _atari _orld _up.

_his _takes _is _laim _ith _ellow _rgentine _iego _aradona _s _ne _f _he _est _layers _ver.

_aving _he _orld _up _itle _n _is _ésumé _uts _essi _n _he _ighest _ossible _lot, _bove _ootballing _ounterparts _ike _ortugal’s _ristiano _onaldo.

_rgentina _ad _he _lowest _omentum _y _ar _hen _hey _ost _heir _irst _atch 2-1 _o _audi _rabia.

_fter _his _ottest _ontroversy _ver _or _rgentina, _essi _layed _ith _is _trongest _ggression _et.

_mbracing _is _ans’ _assion, _e _ecame _he _irst _ver _layer _o _core _n _he _roup _tage, _he _ound _f 16, _he _uarter-_inals _nd _emi-_inals, _nd _he _inal.

_t _as _bappé _hough _ith _ight _oals _ho _oached _he _olden _oot _rophy, _warded _o _he _ournament’s _op _corer.

_essi _eceived _he _olden _all _rophy _or _eing _he _ournament’s _ost _killful _layer _y _ar.

_e _cored _even _oals _hroughout _he _ournament’s _pan.

_s _he _in _parked _he _ildest _elebrations _et, _rgentina _oach _ionel _caloni _aid, “_he _atch _as _ompletely _nsane”.

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Cool-down discussion, game, and keywords

Discussion questions:

  • Have you ever been to a live sporting event? Did your favourite team or player win?
  • What are the highs and lows of the football World Cup?
  • What is sportsmanship?
  • Can you explain the rules of your favourite sport?
  • What can people learn from losing?

CEFR C1 10 keywords revision list:

aggression controversy counterpart dominate embrace glory poach spark stake trophy

Scattergories. In the table below, add one word to each box that matches both the beginning letter and the category, e.g. a sport or game beginning with G is golf.

G O A L
A sport or game
A sporting term or item
A fun job
Something on a résumé
A famous sportsperson

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Interactive exercises

Reading comprehension interactive questions

Select the correct answers from the dropdown menus

Messi scores greatest World Cup win for Argentina

In a World Cup victory elusive to Argentina since 1986, Lionel Messi received the greatest possible glory for their win against France. Messi netted two goals and France’s star player Kylian Mbappé scored a three goal hat-trick. But after 120 minutes in the most dramatic finale ever it was tied 3-3 and Argentina scored the winning penalty. Messi roared “Let’s go, Argentina!” and held his first World Cup trophy aloft.

While Mbappé scored the first World Cup final hat-trick since 1966, Messi had the largest domination by far during the Qatari World Cup. This stakes his claim with fellow Argentine Diego Maradona as one of the best players ever. Having the World Cup title on his résumé puts Messi in the highest possible slot, above footballing counterparts like Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Argentina had the slowest momentum by far when they lost their first match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia. After this hottest controversy ever for Argentina, Messi played with his strongest aggression yet. Embracing his fans’ passion, he became the first ever player to score in the group stage, the round of 16, the quarter-finals and semi-finals, and the final.

It was Mbappé though with eight goals who poached the Golden Boot trophy, awarded to the tournament’s top scorer. Messi received the Golden Ball trophy for being the tournament’s most skillful player by far. He scored seven goals throughout the tournament’s span. As the win sparked the wildest celebrations yet, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, “The match was completely insane”.

How many goals did Mbappé score in the final?
How was the final score settled?
Messi is likened to which famous footballer?
Which footballer is Messi statistically better than?
Where did Portugal finish in the World Cup?
After losing his first game, what did Messi improve?
Who scored in every round?
Who scored more goals in the World Cup — Messi or Mbappé?
Who is the Golden Ball trophy awarded to?
What was Scaloni’s impression of the final?

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Phrases, synonyms, and antonyms interactive match-up

Select the correct matches from the dropdown menus

Phrases
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Synonyms
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Antonyms
16.
17.
18.

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Grammar gap-fill interactive cloze: superlatives

Select the correct answers from the dropdown menus

In a World Cup victory elusive to Argentina since 1986, Lionel Messi received the
1.
possible glory for their win against France. Messi netted two goals and France’s star player Kylian Mbappé scored a three goal hat-trick. But after 120 minutes in the
2.
finale ever it was tied 3-3 and Argentina scored the winning penalty. Messi roared “Let’s go, Argentina!” and held his first World Cup trophy aloft.
While Mbappé scored the first World Cup final hat-trick since 1966, Messi had the
3.
domination by far during the Qatari World Cup. This stakes his claim with fellow Argentine Diego Maradona as one of the
4.
players ever. Having the World Cup title on his résumé puts Messi in the
5.
possible slot, above footballing counterparts like Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Argentina had the
6.
momentum by far when they lost their first match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia. After this
7.
controversy ever for Argentina, Messi played with his
8.
aggression yet. Embracing his fans’ passion, he became the first ever player to score in the group stage, the round of 16, the quarter-finals and semi-finals, and the final.
It was Mbappé though with eight goals who poached the Golden Boot trophy, awarded to the tournament’s top scorer. Messi received the Golden Ball trophy for being the tournament’s
9.
player by far. He scored seven goals throughout the tournament’s span. As the win sparked the
10.
celebrations yet, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, “The match was completely insane”.

lesson  |  top

Vocabulary multiple-choice interactive cloze

Select the correct answers from the dropdown menus

In a World Cup victory elusive to Argentina since 1986, Lionel Messi received the greatest possible
1.
for their win against France. Messi netted two goals and France’s star player Kylian Mbappé scored a three goal hat-trick. But after 120 minutes in the most dramatic finale ever it was tied 3-3 and Argentina scored the winning penalty. Messi roared “Let’s go, Argentina!” and held his first World Cup
2.
aloft.
While Mbappé scored the first World Cup final hat-trick since 1966, Messi had the largest
3.
by far during the Qatari World Cup. This
4.
his claim with fellow Argentine Diego Maradona as one of the best players ever. Having the World Cup title on his résumé puts Messi in the highest possible slot, above footballing
5.
like Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Argentina had the slowest momentum by far when they lost their first match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia. After this hottest
6.
ever for Argentina, Messi played with his strongest
7.
yet.
8.
his fans’ passion, he became the first ever player to score in the group stage, the round of 16, the quarter-finals and semi-finals, and the final.
It was Mbappé though with eight goals who
9.
the Golden Boot trophy, awarded to the tournament’s top scorer. Messi received the Golden Ball trophy for being the tournament’s most skillful player by far. He scored seven goals throughout the tournament’s span. As the win
10.
the wildest celebrations yet, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, “The match was completely insane”.

lesson  |  top

Interactive writing cloze

Type the words correctly in the boxes

In a World Cup victory elusive to Argentina since 1986, Lionel Messi received the greatest possible
1.
for their win against France. Messi netted two goals and France’s star player Kylian Mbappé scored a three goal hat-trick. But after 120 minutes in the most dramatic finale ever it was tied 3-3 and Argentina scored the winning penalty. Messi
2.
“Let’s go, Argentina!” and held his first World Cup
3.
aloft.
While Mbappé scored the first World Cup final hat-trick since 1966, Messi had the largest domination by far during the Qatari World Cup. This stakes his claim with fellow Argentine Diego Maradona as one of the best players ever. Having the World Cup title on his résumé puts Messi in the highest possible slot, above footballing
4.
like Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Argentina had the slowest
5.
by far when they lost their first match 2-1 to Saudi Arabia. After this hottest
6.
ever for Argentina, Messi played with his strongest aggression yet.
7.
his fans’ passion, he became the first ever player to score in the group stage, the round of 16, the quarter-finals and semi-finals, and the final.
It was Mbappé though with eight goals who poached the Golden Boot trophy, awarded to the tournament’s top scorer. Messi received the Golden Ball trophy for being the tournament’s most skillful player by far. He scored seven goals throughout the tournament’s
8.
.
As the win
9.
the wildest celebrations yet, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said, “The match was completely
10.
”.

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