Football, also called soccer, is the most popular sport in the world. It is played on a pitch by two teams, each with 11 players, including a goalkeeper who protects the goal. The game begins with a kickoff and continues as players pass and dribble the ball to score goals. The referee enforces the rules and can give free kicks or penalties if a team commits a foul.
If the ball crosses the sideline, a throw-in is used to restart play. A corner kick is awarded when a defender touches the ball before it crosses the goal line, while a goal kick is given when the attacking team last touches the ball. A match has two halves with a halftime break. If the score is the same at the end, it is a draw, but sometimes extra time or a penalty shootout decides the winner.
Football is a sport enjoyed by millions of fans worldwide, making it more than just a game—it’s a global passion!
Vocabulary:
• Pitch (noun): The field where football is played.
• Goal (noun): The area where players score points.
• Goalkeeper (noun): The player who stops goals.
• Kickoff (noun): The first kick that starts the game.
• Pass (verb): To kick the ball to a teammate.
• Dribble (verb): To move the ball while controlling it.
• Referee (noun): The person who makes sure players follow the rules.
• Foul (noun): When a player breaks the rules.
• Free kick (noun): A kick given after a foul.
• Penalty (noun): A special kick given for a foul in the penalty area.
• Sideline (noun): The boundary at the sides of the pitch.
• Throw-in (noun): When the ball is thrown back into play.
• Halftime (noun): The short break in the middle of the game.
• Draw (noun): When both teams have the same score.
• Extra time (noun): More time added if the match is still tied.
• Penalty shootout (noun): A way to decide the winner with penalty kicks.
• Fans (noun): People who watch and support football teams.
• Offside (noun): A rule violation where an attacking player is ahead of the last defender when receiving a pass.