FIFA World Cup 2026: Cody Gakpo in tears, scoring days after unborn son's death
FIFA World Cup 2026: Cody Gakpo scored for the Netherlands in their soul-crushing defeat to Morocco in the Round of 32 game, days after his partner announced the loss of their unborn son. The goal sparked an emotional response and drew support from teammates and fans.
In the modern era of hyper-analysed, elite sport, we often mistake athletes for machines. We demand consistency, expect unwavering focus, and treat their public triumphs as routine. But on a sweltering Tuesday evening at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico, Cody Gakpo reminded the world of the fragile, beating heart beneath the Dutch jersey, even as the Netherlands' World Cup dreams ended in a devastating 3-2 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco.
Netherlands vs Morocco Highlights
Only three days prior, the Liverpool and Netherlands striker had been plunged into a private hell. On Saturday, his partner, Noa van der Bij, shared the devastating news on social media that the couple had lost their unborn son. While the football world looked on in shock, Gakpo was granted compassionate leave to be with his family at the Dutch team's tournament base in Kansas City.
The tragedy placed football into sharp perspective. Yet, when Ronald Koeman's side walked out for their high-stakes FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against Morocco, Gakpo was leading the line.
For 71 minutes, the match was a tense, claustrophobic affair. The Netherlands found themselves frustrated by a stubborn Moroccan defence, the weight of expectation hanging heavy in the Mexican air. Then came the 72nd minute.
As Crysencio Summerville drew a heavy foul, the winger managed a desperate, final lay-off into the path of Gakpo. The forward made no mistake, blasting a lethal strike past Yassine Bounou to break the deadlock.
But what followed was a visceral release of human agony.
As the ball hit the back of the net, there were no overly flamboyant celebrations from Gakpo. Instead, the moment was marked by a quiet, visible outpouring of raw emotion. His teammates immediately rallied around him, offering a collective embrace of support and solidarity on the pitch, ensuring their talisman felt the full backing of the squad in front of the watching world.
In the stands, the travelling Dutch fans were visibly overwhelmed. Acknowledging the monumental courage it took for their number nine to even cross the white line, the entire stadium stood up to give Gakpo a thunderous standing ovation. The emotion rippled across the Atlantic; back in a Kansas City sports bar near the Dutch camp, American neutrals and travelling supporters alike burst into a spontaneous round of applause, moved by a moment that transcended sport.
Only 24 hours earlier, Koeman had spoken glowingly about his forward's remarkable mental fortitude. "There was never a moment when he said 'I want to go back home'," the Oranje manager revealed. "He's ready to play... He deals with things in his own way. It's very powerful, beautiful."
Van Dijk echoed those sentiments, reminding reporters that football remains entirely secondary to the harsh realities of life. "It's awful news," the skipper had said on Monday. "He's very mature, very adult. I have lots of respect for the way he and his family are handling this."
But, the emotional night in Monterrey ended in utter devastation for the Netherlands as Oranje crashed out of the World Cup in a heart-wrenching 3-2 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco.
Ronald Koeman's men appeared to have one foot in the Round of 16 until the 91st minute, when Morocco's substitute Issa Diop rose highest to power home a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser and silence the Dutch contingent.
After a tense, exhausting period of extra time yielded no decider, the lottery of spot-kicks became the final arbiter; Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero by turning away Crysencio Summerville's effort, leaving Ismael Saibari to calmly step up and smash home the winning penalty to seal another historic knockout triumph for the Atlas Lions.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
In the modern era of hyper-analysed, elite sport, we often mistake athletes for machines. We demand consistency, expect unwavering focus, and treat their public triumphs as routine. But on a sweltering Tuesday evening at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico, Cody Gakpo reminded the world of the fragile, beating heart beneath the Dutch jersey, even as the Netherlands' World Cup dreams ended in a devastating 3-2 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco.
Netherlands vs Morocco Highlights
Only three days prior, the Liverpool and Netherlands striker had been plunged into a private hell. On Saturday, his partner, Noa van der Bij, shared the devastating news on social media that the couple had lost their unborn son. While the football world looked on in shock, Gakpo was granted compassionate leave to be with his family at the Dutch team's tournament base in Kansas City.
The tragedy placed football into sharp perspective. Yet, when Ronald Koeman's side walked out for their high-stakes FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash against Morocco, Gakpo was leading the line.
For 71 minutes, the match was a tense, claustrophobic affair. The Netherlands found themselves frustrated by a stubborn Moroccan defence, the weight of expectation hanging heavy in the Mexican air. Then came the 72nd minute.
As Crysencio Summerville drew a heavy foul, the winger managed a desperate, final lay-off into the path of Gakpo. The forward made no mistake, blasting a lethal strike past Yassine Bounou to break the deadlock.
But what followed was a visceral release of human agony.
As the ball hit the back of the net, there were no overly flamboyant celebrations from Gakpo. Instead, the moment was marked by a quiet, visible outpouring of raw emotion. His teammates immediately rallied around him, offering a collective embrace of support and solidarity on the pitch, ensuring their talisman felt the full backing of the squad in front of the watching world.
In the stands, the travelling Dutch fans were visibly overwhelmed. Acknowledging the monumental courage it took for their number nine to even cross the white line, the entire stadium stood up to give Gakpo a thunderous standing ovation. The emotion rippled across the Atlantic; back in a Kansas City sports bar near the Dutch camp, American neutrals and travelling supporters alike burst into a spontaneous round of applause, moved by a moment that transcended sport.
Only 24 hours earlier, Koeman had spoken glowingly about his forward's remarkable mental fortitude. "There was never a moment when he said 'I want to go back home'," the Oranje manager revealed. "He's ready to play... He deals with things in his own way. It's very powerful, beautiful."
Van Dijk echoed those sentiments, reminding reporters that football remains entirely secondary to the harsh realities of life. "It's awful news," the skipper had said on Monday. "He's very mature, very adult. I have lots of respect for the way he and his family are handling this."
But, the emotional night in Monterrey ended in utter devastation for the Netherlands as Oranje crashed out of the World Cup in a heart-wrenching 3-2 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco.
Ronald Koeman's men appeared to have one foot in the Round of 16 until the 91st minute, when Morocco's substitute Issa Diop rose highest to power home a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser and silence the Dutch contingent.
After a tense, exhausting period of extra time yielded no decider, the lottery of spot-kicks became the final arbiter; Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero by turning away Crysencio Summerville's effort, leaving Ismael Saibari to calmly step up and smash home the winning penalty to seal another historic knockout triumph for the Atlas Lions.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
