Podcast: Play in new window | Download () | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Podchaser | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Youtube Music | RSS | More
2026 World Cup Language Podcast Day 24: Stubborn Defence
Day twenty four at the 2026 World Cup and on this World Cup language podcast we look at the phrase stubborn defence from the France v Paraguay last 16 match. You can read the transcript for this podcast below, while you can also check out our glossary of footballing phrases here and visit our site to access all our previous posts and podcasts. If you have any suggestions or questions about the phrase or our podcast then you can contact us here.
Welcome
DB: Welcome to the daily 2026 World Cup Language Podcast everyone. My name is Damon from the Learn English through Football team. Are you well? I hope so. We have reached the last 16 stage of the knockout phase with two teams already through on day 24 – France overcame Paraguay 1-0 and Morocco put three past Canada to progress.
Did you see those results coming? I think on paper both France and Morocco were expected to win, but France definitely had to work hard for their victory against a stubborn defensive display by Paraguay. And it is that phrase we will look at today – stubborn defence or stubborn defensive display.
Contact
Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast.com (from an English fan)
DB: Thank you for that message, which was from a fan of England.
Stubborn defence
Dogged display
DB: A related phrase is a dogged display. The adjective dogged means determined and unwilling to give up despite difficulties. If a team puts in a dogged display, they continue battling and defending even when they are under heavy pressure.Stinger: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast.com (from a Portuguese fan)
DB: Thank you for that message which was in Portuguese.
Goodbye
DB: And that brings us to the end of the show. Today, we looked at stubborn defence and dogged display, both phrases used to describe solid defensive play. Drop us a line and share any football language that you find interesting and tell us how to say these expressions in your language too. We’ll be back tomorrow with more football language from the World Cup. Until then, ta-ra!
Related Links
-
- 2026 World Cup Language 22: Breeze past
- 2026 World Cup Language 21: Advance to the last 16
- 2026 World Cup Language 20: Sweep aside
- 2026 World Cup Language 19: Win a penalty shootout
- 2026 World Cup Language Podcast Day 18: Stoppage Time
- 2026 World Cup Language 17: See off an opponent
- 2026 World Cup Language 16: To Spill
- 2026 World Cup Language 15: Results to go their way
- 2026 World Cup Language 14: Goal difference
- 2026 World Cup Language 13: Ends goal drought
- 2026 World Cup Language 12: Shrug off
- 2026 World Cup Language Day 11: Thumping strike
- 2026 World Cup Language Day 10: (a) Statement Win
- 2026 World Cup Language Podcast Day 9: One-way traffic
- 2026 World Cup Language 8: a Gift
- 2026 World Cup Language Podcast – Day 7: Re-taken penalty
- 2026 World Cup Language 6: A stunner
- 2026 World Cup Language 5: Hold to a draw
- 2026 World Cup language 4: Run riot
- 2026 World Cup Language 3: Lob over the keeper
- 2026 World Cup Language 2: Brace
- 2026 World Cup Language: To be dismissed
- 2026 World Cup in numbers
- 2026 World Cup in numbers (quiz)
- 2026 World Cup favourites, dark horses and flops
Learn English Through Football Podcast: A show for football fans to improve their English language skills
Welcome to the website that helps students interested in football improve their English language skills. Football fans can practise with lots of free language resources, including football-language podcasts and our huge football-language glossary.