The tragic story behind Cody Gakpo's emotional World Cup goal during Netherlands vs Morocco

Monterrey: Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo provided one of the most poignant moments of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday (IST), scoring for his nation just days after announcing the heartbreaking loss of his unborn son, Elijah Raphael Gakpo.

Gakpo, who has remained with the Dutch squad in North America throughout this difficult period, was named in the starting XI for the Netherlands' Round of 32 clash against Morocco at Monterrey Stadium. Despite the immense personal grief shared by the Liverpool star and his partner, Noa van der Bij, Gakpo delivered a determined performance, playing 113 minutes and acting as the focal point of the Dutch attack.

An Emotional Breakthrough

The forward’s resilience was underlined in the 72nd minute of the match. Gakpo broke through the Moroccan defence, winning a physical chase along the edge of the box before sliding a precise finish between the legs of goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and a covering defender. Following the goal, the forward appeared visibly moved, with teammates quickly gathering to embrace him in a powerful show of unity.

The goal came just 48 hours after Gakpo and his partner shared the devastating news of their loss on social media. "With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy," Van der Bij wrote in an emotional post. The couple, who are also parents to a son named Samuel, had asked for privacy as they navigated the tragedy.

Unity Within the Dutch Camp

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) and the national team setup have rallied around Gakpo since the news emerged. Manager Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk both spoke publicly of their support for the forward.

"The most important thing is to ask: 'what do you need?'" Van Dijk stated. "It’s awful news, and it shows that football is secondary. There are more important things in life. I have lots of respect for the way he and his family are handling this."

Koeman added that the squad had provided Gakpo with the freedom to be with his family, noting that the player's decision to play was handled with remarkable maturity. "We have done what was within our power in terms of support, as players, as staff," Koeman remarked.

While the match eventually ended in a 3-2 penalty shootout victory for Morocco, Gakpo’s participation and goal in the face of such profound personal loss left a lasting impression on fans and fellow professionals alike.