An emotional return to the pitch
Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo delivered one of the most poignant moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday, scoring a 72nd-minute goal in the round of 32 match against Morocco. The strike came just days after Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, publicly announced the tragic passing of their unborn son.
Gakpo, 27, found the net after a challenging sequence along the edge of the box, sliding the ball past Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Immediately following the goal, the Liverpool star was visibly overcome with emotion, and he was quickly embraced by his teammates in a spontaneous show of solidarity.
Support from the Dutch camp
Prior to the match, Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman stated that Gakpo never requested to leave the tournament, despite the family’s loss. Captain Virgil van Dijk praised Gakpo’s maturity, noting that the team’s priority has been to provide unwavering support for their teammate during an incredibly difficult period.
“We have done what was within our power in terms of support,” Van Dijk said. “It’s very sad, but Cody deals with it, and he’s keen to help the team. It shows that football is secondary.”
Tournament outcome
While Gakpo’s performance was a focal point of the match, the Netherlands was unable to secure the victory. Morocco forced the game into extra time with a 91st-minute equalizer from Issa Diop and eventually triumphed in a penalty shootout, ending the Dutch campaign in the tournament. Gakpo finishes his World Cup run with three goals, bringing his total international tally to 24 in 54 appearances.