Cody Gakpo Overcome with Emotion After Scoring for Netherlands Following Personal Tragedy
Cody Gakpo was visibly emotional after opening the scoring for the Netherlands in their World Cup Round of 32 clash with Morocco, with his teammates rushing to celebrate and support him during a deeply touching moment.
The goal came just days after Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, revealed the heartbreaking loss of their unborn child during pregnancy. Despite the personal tragedy, the Liverpool forward chose to remain with the Netherlands squad and made himself available for the knockout fixture.
The breakthrough arrived when Crysencio Summerville led a swift counterattack before setting up Gakpo, who calmly finished into the net. As soon as the ball crossed the line, the 27-year-old dropped to his knees in tears while his teammates gathered around him in a show of solidarity. After regaining his feet, Gakpo pointed toward the sky in a heartfelt tribute.
The strike also marked another milestone in Dutch football history, taking Gakpo to six World Cup goals. He now shares second place among the Netherlands’ all-time World Cup scorers alongside Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Dennis Bergkamp, Rob Rensenbrink, and Robin van Persie. Only Johnny Rep, with seven goals, has scored more for the Oranje at the tournament.
Before the match, Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk emphasized that football takes a back seat during moments like these. He praised Gakpo and his family for the strength and maturity they had shown while dealing with such devastating news, adding that the entire squad was behind him.
Head coach Ronald Koeman also expressed his admiration for Gakpo, explaining that the team offered him full support throughout the difficult period. Koeman described the Liverpool star as incredibly strong and mature, saying the way he handled the situation reflected his character and that the squad would continue to stand by him.
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