A Chinese podcast · Same story, 4 levels
2:56
世界杯八强赛：姆巴佩罚丢点球又破门，法国二比零完胜摩洛哥进四强
World Cup Quarter-Final: Mbappé Misses a Penalty Then Scores — France Beat Morocco 2-0 to Reach the Semis
A medium Chinese listening lesson on the World Cup quarter-finals, in spoken style: Mbappé misses a first-half penalty but scores his 20th WC goal, and Dembélé adds a second as France beat dark horses Morocco 2-0 to reach a third straight semi-final. Talk on a giant's stability.
This is an HSK 3-4 Chinese listening episode that runs about 3 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 7 key vocabulary words such as 黑马、过关斩将、僵持 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.
Today let's talk about a high-quality World Cup quarter-final: France beat Morocco two to zero to power into the semi-finals.
This was a perfect showcase of a title favorite's quality.
First, a word on France.
France are packed with stars, one of the acknowledged big title favorites of this World Cup, and their number-one star Mbappé is a byword for pace and efficiency in the game today.
Their opponents Morocco are one of the biggest dark horses of this World Cup.
As the standard-bearers of African teams, they fought past every obstacle to get here and played with great tenacity.
Alright, into the game.
In the first half, both sides were very cautious, Morocco's defending disciplined too, the score locked for a while at nil-nil.
In fact, France won a golden chance in the first half — a penalty.
Yet Mbappé, stepping up to the spot, unexpectedly missed, and France spurned the chance to lead.
But a truly strong team doesn't fall apart over one mistake.
After the change of ends, France finally showed their quality, and the balance of the game quickly tipped.
In the sixtieth minute, Mbappé made up for his missed penalty with a fine goal — one to zero.
This was also his twentieth World Cup goal, of huge significance.
Just six minutes later, in the sixty-sixth, Dembélé scored again, stretching it to two to zero and sealing the win.
Two goals in hand, France firmly controlled the game.
Morocco threw everything into a fightback to keep their World Cup dream alive, but could never truly shake France's defense.
France, unhurried, ran down the clock with slick possession and steadily protected their lead.
In the end, France cleanly kept a clean sheet and marched proudly into the semi-finals.
So, how should this game be judged?
For France, this is a highly convincing win.
This is already their third straight World Cup semi-final, and such consistent excellence is the mark of a top giant.
And Mbappé, in both goals and form, has taken the lead in the Golden Boot race.
For Morocco, this defeat, though a pity, is entirely understandable.
What they ran into was an opponent clearly stronger.
But as Africa's flag-bearers, they reached the quarter-finals at two straight World Cups, and long ago won the respect of the whole world.
That's France two to zero Morocco, a win belonging to Mbappé, and to France's pedigree.
See you next match.
Try it without the transcript and notice what sounds clearer.
考纲词。把遗憾或损失补回来。他用进球弥补了罚丢点球的遗憾。
意外表现出色的球队。摩洛哥是本届世界杯最大的黑马之一。
成语。一路击败对手闯过难关。他们一路过关斩将。
双方相持不下、打不开。比分一时僵持在零比零。
一件事有多大的价值。这个进球含金量十足。
一个球都不丢地赢下比赛。法国干净利落地零封对手。
代表、象征。他们是非洲足球的旗帜。
* beyond level超纲词
不会因为…就…
'Won't … just because of …' — refusing to be rattled.
真正的强队，不会因为一次失误就乱了阵脚。
无论…还是…，都…
'Whether … or …, all …' — covers every aspect.
无论是进球数还是状态，姆巴佩都占据了领先。
早已赢得了…
'Has long since won …' — an established achievement.
他们早已赢得了全世界的尊重。
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