Vocabulary Kick Off
Stress or expectations that make a situation difficult
pressure
Fans doubted Rivas because Argentina had lost two ______ matches earlier in the year.
Friendly
Japan needed to defeat ______ to advance.
Spain
Portugal’s goalkeeper was named ______ Andrade.
Luis
Why did Rivas stay late after practice?
: to improve his skills and lead by example
Someone brave or not scared of challenges
fearless
Germany scored first within the first ______ minutes.
ten
The young forward who became a hero was named ______ Mori.
Daichi
France earned a ______ kick in the 40th minute.
penalty
Why did Mori’s first goal change the momentum?
it energized Japan and made Spain nervous
block or change the direction of something
deflect
Rivas assisted the equalizing goal by passing to a ______ teammate.
younger
Mori scored his first goal by chasing down a ______ ball.
Loose
Andrade made three difficult ______ early in the match.
saves
Why does Andrade’s calm behavior help his teammates?
a calm goalkeeper keeps the whole team calm
to recover quickly from challenges or setbacks
resilience
Rivas said, “Pressure is just a sign that something ______.”
matters
After Mori’s first goal, Japan’s defense tightened and their ______ became more dangerous.
counterattacks
Fans called Andrade “the wall of hope” because he showed incredible ______.
What quality do all three heroes share?
confidence, resilience, or leadership
to be overlooked by others
shadow
Name one way Rivas’s leadership changed the team after the victory.
increased confidence
Why did the coach choose Mori even though he was inexperienced?
fresh legs and a fearless mind
What was the final score of Portugal vs. France?
1-0
Across all three passages, what is one major theme about how athletes respond to pressure?
They rise to the challenge through resilience, confidence, and teamwork.