Heartbreak and Heroism on the Pitch
In a deeply emotional moment, Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo found the back of the net in the 72nd minute of Monday's round of 32 match against Morocco, a remarkable feat considering the personal tragedy he and his partner, Noa van der Bij, had announced just days prior - the death of their unborn son.
Gakpo's goal, which came after he won a chase to the ball and managed to get a shot off despite colliding with Moroccan goalkeeper Bono, sparked an outpouring of support from his teammates, who rushed to embrace him during the celebration. The Netherlands star appeared to be fighting back tears, a poignant reminder of the emotional weight he carried onto the field.
Despite Gakpo's goal, the Netherlands was unable to secure the win, as Morocco defender Issa Diop scored in stoppage time, forcing the match into extra time. Morocco ultimately emerged victorious, winning in penalty kicks.
Monday's match marked Gakpo's first appearance since he and Van der Bij shared the heartbreaking news of their unborn son's passing on Saturday. Van der Bij took to social media to post a photo and a message, saying "Thank you for your love and support. Elijay Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son."
The couple, who were expecting their second child together in October, found solace in a chance encounter at a church playground, where they met a child named Elijah, a name that held special significance for them. As Van der Bij wrote, "There was only one other child there. His name was Elijah. There could not have been a more beautiful sign from God. He reminded us that our little boy is never far away."
Gakpo, in his own post, asked for privacy and space during this difficult time, stating, "This is an incredibly difficult time for our family. We kindly ask for our privacy and space. Thank you for your understanding."
The goal against Morocco was Gakpo's 24th in 54 caps for the Netherlands and his sixth career World Cup goal, leaving him one shy of Johnny Rep's record for the most World Cup goals scored by a Netherlands player. Gakpo had previously scored two goals in the group stage, both in the win over Sweden.
