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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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 30, 2026
· 2 min read
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 made a strong save of Cry...
Key takeaway With the shootout tied at 2-all after four rounds, Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a strong save of Crysencio Summerville's attempt, batting it away with his left hand.
Why this matters in The Pearland
Morocco's thrilling shootout win over the Netherlands has significant implications for local soccer fans, as the Moroccan team will now face Canada in the Round of 16 on Saturday in Houston. This matchup promises to bring excitement to the city, with international soccer talent on full display. The fact that Morocco made a breakthrough run to the semifinals four years ago in Qatar and is now moving forward in the tournament will likely draw a sizable and enthusiastic crowd to the game. As one of the highest-ranked teams in the world, Morocco's presence in Houston is a testament to the city's ability to host high-profile international sporting events. With the expanded tournament featuring 32 teams in the knockout stage for the first time, Houston's hosting of this matchup is a notable aspect of the World Cup's global reach. Local fans can look forward to a thrilling match on Saturday.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Pearland 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 KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? 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 made a strong save of Cry...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Pearland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ethan Wilcox, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Pearland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Pearland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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