Cody Gakpo scored an emotional 72nd-minute goal for the Netherlands against Morocco on Monday, just two days after he and his partner Noa van der Bij announced the devastating loss of their unborn son. The Liverpool forward broke down in tears as teammates rushed to embrace him, turning what would have been a match-winning strike into a moment of raw grief shared with millions watching.
Gakpo and van der Bij shared the news on June 27, posting a photo of their hands over a small knitted hat and revealing their son had been named Elijah Raphael Gakpo. “With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy,” she wrote. Gakpo asked for privacy and space, but chose to remain with the national team squad. Dutch coach Ronald Koeman confirmed the staff offered support and gave Gakpo freedom to be with family if needed.
Koeman surprisingly kept Gakpo in the starting lineup against Morocco, despite speculation he might be substituted. When Summerville’s cross found him in the box, Gakpo fired past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and immediately collapsed to his knees, overcome by emotion.
Morocco’s Issa Diop equalized in the first minute of stoppage time, forcing extra time and eventually penalties, where the Dutch lost 3-2. But the result was secondary to Gakpo’s tribute. In a tournament defined by moments of joy, his goal became one of the most heartbreaking and human moments of the 2026 World Cup, a reminder that even on the biggest stage, some grief runs deeper than the game.
