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Saibari's shootout winner sends Morocco past the Netherlands, earliest World Cup exit for the Dutch
By ETHAN WILCOX, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· June 30, 2026
· 1 min read
GUADALUPE, Mexico (AP) — Ismael Saibari scored the decisive goal in a penalty shootout, and Morocco sent the Netherlands to its earliest World Cup exit, eliminating the Dutch 3-2 after a 1-1 draw on Monday night. With the shootout tied at 2-all after four rounds, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou...
Key takeaway With the shootout tied at 2-all after four rounds, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a strong save of Crysencio [...
Why this matters in The McAllen
The Netherlands' surprising exit from the World Cup may have implications for local soccer fans in the McAllen area, where the sport has a significant following. Many residents in the Rio Grande Valley have strong ties to Mexico, and the success of neighboring countries in international competitions can often generate excitement and interest in the sport. As Morocco moves forward in the tournament, local fans may find themselves drawn to the team's underdog story, and some may even see parallels between Morocco's determination and the perseverance of athletes in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metro area. The Valley's own soccer leagues and teams may also benefit from the increased attention on the sport, potentially leading to more participation and investment in local programs. With the World Cup continuing to captivate audiences worldwide, the McAllen community may experience a surge in soccer enthusiasm, inspiring new generations of players and fans.
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: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? GUADALUPE, Mexico (AP) — Ismael Saibari scored the decisive goal in a penalty shootout, and Morocco sent the Netherlands to its earliest World Cup exit, eliminating the Dutch 3-2 after a 1-1 draw on Monday night. With the shootout tied at 2-all after four rounds, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ETHAN WILCOX, 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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