A Chinese podcast · Same story, 4 levels
6:11
世界杯：凯恩梅开二度，英格兰四比二赢下六球大战
World Cup: Kane's Brace Powers England Past Croatia 4-2 in a Goal-Fest
中级中文世界杯战报：英格兰对克罗地亚上演六球大战，凯恩点球加运动战梅开二度，巴图里纳、穆萨两度扳平，贝林厄姆、拉什福德建功，英格兰四比二取胜。含生词、语法和全文英文翻译。
This is an HSK 3-4 Chinese listening episode that runs about 6 minutes. The full Mandarin script is shown with tap-for-pinyin and a line-by-line English translation, so you can listen and read at once — comprehensible input in the sense of Stephen Krashen's i+1 theory. It teaches 10 key vocabulary words such as 看好、关注、控制 and walks through 3 grammar patterns, each explained in English with examples. The same news story is retold at 4 difficulty levels — use the level selector above to find the version that is challenging but still understandable for you.
Read the complete story in Chinese. Reveal pinyin and English only when you need them.
England beat Croatia four to two — one of the most thrilling matches of this World Cup so far.
Six goals in a single match, the score changing several times, left those watching crying out in delight.
Before the match, England were widely favored; they're one of the title contenders.
The squad is packed with stars, and the one drawing the most attention was the forward and captain, Kane.
Kane is a top-class finisher with a fierce eye for goal, and for years he's been England's leading scorer.
And their opponents Croatia were not to be underestimated either.
This is an experienced old powerhouse that has gone far at the last several World Cups.
Their squad has plenty of veterans who've played in big occasions, and they never give in easily.
So everyone knew this would by no means be an easy match.
The match was played at a large stadium in Texas, USA, with the ground packed to capacity.
After kickoff, England quickly seized the initiative.
In just the 12th minute, they won a penalty.
The one who stepped up to take it was captain Kane.
Facing the keeper, he calmly slotted it home, the ball finding the net, and England led one to nil.
For an experienced player like Kane, taking a penalty is almost second nature.
This early goal also let England play with more confidence.
However, Croatia did not panic.
As an old, established power, falling a goal behind was far from enough to throw them into disarray.
In the 36th minute, their player Baturina seized a chance and leveled the score.
One to one — the match was back at the same starting line.
This goal also reminded England: against Croatia, you can never relax at any moment.
But Kane clearly hadn't had enough yet.
In the 42nd minute, he scored again, his second of the day.
Two to one — England regained the lead.
And just as everyone thought England would head into the break ahead, a dramatic scene unfolded.
In first-half stoppage time, Croatia's Musa struck again, leveling the score once more.
Two to two — in just one half, the two teams had combined for four goals.
A first half this explosive is quite rare even by World Cup standards.
The two sides traded blows, the score rewritten again and again, with neither willing to yield.
The fans in the stands were extraordinarily excited, because the match was simply so full of action.
At half-time, almost everyone was guessing: how many more goals will the second half bring?
The second half had only just begun when England struck again.
Almost as soon as the ball was kicked off, they launched an incisive attack.
In the 47th minute, the young star Bellingham stepped up to score England's third.
Three to two — England took the lead for the third time.
This time, Croatia found it clearly much harder to level again.
As the second half went on, England gradually took control of the match's rhythm.
They had more of the ball and created more chances.
Although Croatia fought back hard, their stamina and pace began to fall short.
As time went on, their attacks grew less and less able to threaten England's goal.
Meanwhile, England's goalkeeper Pickford also made several crucial saves.
It was precisely his steady performance that helped England hold on to their lead.
In the 85th minute, the substitute Rashford added the icing on the cake with another goal.
This goal, scored by a substitute, also showed England's quite outstanding squad depth.
Four to two — England completely sealed the win.
At the final whistle, the whole England team was elated.
With a thoroughly satisfying win, they got their World Cup journey off to a great start.
Kane scored a brace, once again proving his value as a top-class finisher.
When the team needs him, he can always step up with a goal — and that's precisely what makes a top forward so valuable.
Of course, the losing side Croatia won respect all the same.
They leveled the score twice, showing the resilience and backbone of an established power.
It's just that in overall quality and squad depth, England still had the edge.
After the match, this clash quickly became the talk of the town.
Some said it was the best match of this World Cup so far.
Others believed England, in this kind of form, has a real chance to go far in this tournament.
Actually, this is exactly what makes the World Cup so appealing.
Some matches are dull and locked, with goals few; while others have goals pouring in, full of twists.
A goal-fest like today's, with both sides trading blows, undoubtedly belongs to the most unforgettable kind for fans.
For England, a big win in the opener both took three points and rediscovered their attacking touch.
For Croatia, losing the opener is a shame, but the group stage has only just begun, and everything is still possible.
As long as they make their defending more solid, they remain a very competitive team.
For an experienced team like this, recovering from a defeat is not difficult.
A four-two game, with the brilliance of a superstar and the defiance of a strong team — this is the magic of the World Cup.
I'm sure this goal-fest will be one many fans savor for a long time to come.
And for neutral viewers, getting to see a match like this is itself a treat.
Alright, that's the whole story of England versus Croatia. See you next time.
Try it without the transcript and notice what sounds clearer.
赛前，英格兰被普遍看好。
其中最受关注的，就是凯恩。
进入下半场后，英格兰逐渐掌控了比赛的节奏。
HSK 1-3. audience.
HSK 1-3. world.
考纲词。凯恩是一名顶级射手。
考纲词。巴图里纳抓住机会扳平了比分。
考纲词。门将皮克福德做出了几次关键扑救。
考纲词。替补登场的拉什福德再进一球。
成语。拉什福德锦上添花，再进一球。
* beyond level超纲词
对…来说，…几乎是…
'for …, … is almost …' — comparison to ease/difficulty.
对凯恩这样经验丰富的球员来说，主罚点球几乎是手到擒来。
然而…
'however' — a formal contrast marker.
然而，克罗地亚并没有慌乱。
随着…，…
'as … (progresses), …'.
随着时间推移，他们的进攻越来越难以威胁到英格兰的球门。
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