score a goal

Meaning

This phrase means to successfully put the ball or puck into the opponent's net or goal area to earn a point in games like soccer, hockey, or lacrosse. It is one of the most common sports collocations in English.

Examples

• He managed to score a goal in the final minute of the match.

  He managed to score a goal in the final minute of the match.

• Our striker needs to score a goal if we want to win this game.

  Our striker needs to score a goal if we want to win this game.

• It is incredibly difficult to score a goal against such a strong defense.

  It is incredibly difficult to score a goal against such a strong defense.

• The crowd went wild when she managed to score a goal from midfield.

  The crowd went wild when she managed to score a goal from midfield.

• His dream has always been to score a goal in the World Cup.

  His dream has always been to score a goal in the World Cup.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He made a goal in the second half of the game.

  ✓ He scored a goal in the second half of the game.

  In English, we use the verb 'score' with 'goal.' Using 'make' is a common literal translation error from other languages.

• ✗ Our team did a goal just before halftime.

  ✓ Our team scored a goal just before halftime.

  'Do' cannot be used to describe earning points in sports. The correct collocation is always 'score a goal.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• The fans cheered loudly when the striker managed to ___.

  💡 Put the ball into the net to get a point.

  Show answer

  score a goal

• It is not easy to ___ when the goalkeeper is this talented.

  💡 Earn a point in soccer or hockey.

  Show answer

  score a goal