local
Brazil left to second-guess penalty kick choice after earliest World Cup exit since 1990
By BRIAN MAHONEY, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 6, 2026
· 1 min read
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Vinícius Júnior had the ball at the penalty spot, a perfect chance to give Brazil the lead. And he handed it to Bruno Guimarães. And by the time Neymar — in what he said was his final World Cup appearance — took and made Brazil's second penalty kick, it was [...]
Key takeaway And by the time Neymar — in what he said was his final World Cup appearance — took and made Brazil's second penalty kick, it was [...
Why this matters in The McAllen
The outcome of Brazil's World Cup match may seem like a distant concern for McAllen residents, but for the city's sizable Brazilian expatriate community, the team's earliest exit since 1990 is a significant disappointment. Many locals gathered at restaurants and bars to watch the match, and the penalty kick decision that ultimately sealed Brazil's fate will likely be debated for days to come. The Rio Grande Valley's strong soccer culture, fueled by its proximity to the US-Mexico border and the popularity of the sport among locals, means that international matches like this one are closely followed. As fans in McAllen process the loss, they will be watching to see how the team regroups and rebuilds for future competitions, and how this exit will impact the morale of Brazilian fans in the community. The local Brazilian community's passion for soccer is undeniable, and this loss will be felt deeply.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Vinícius Júnior had the ball at the penalty spot, a perfect chance to give Brazil the lead. And he handed it to Bruno Guimarães. And by the time Neymar — in what he said was his final World Cup appearance — took and made Brazil's second penalty kick, it was [...]
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by BRIAN MAHONEY, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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