Cody Gakpo scored for the Netherlands in their World Cup match against Morocco, but the emotional moment was followed by tears and ultimately, the team's elimination from the tournament.
Gakpo broke the deadlock in the last-32 tie, firing home from close range. Amidst his teammates' celebrations, an emotional Gakpo fell to his knees, visibly upset, and was consoled by his teammates. He later appeared to wipe away tears while looking to the sky and blowing a kiss.
Morocco equalized in stoppage time with a header from Issa Diop. The match proceeded to penalties, where misses by Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber, and Crysencio Summerville proved costly for the Dutch side. Morocco secured their progression with Ismael Saibari's winning spot kick.
Just days prior to the match, Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, announced the tragic news of their miscarriage. Van der Bij shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram on Saturday, stating, "With broken hearts, we share that our little boy passed away during pregnancy. Thank you for all the support."
She added that they had lit a candle in church and visited a playground with their son, Samuel, where they saw a child named Elijah, interpreting it as a sign. Gakpo had announced four weeks ago that he and van der Bij were expecting their second son.
The Dutch football association (KNVB) released a statement expressing sympathy for Gakpo and his family. The statement noted that Gakpo had chosen to remain with the team after consultation with his girlfriend, and that the KNVB was providing support. The association stated their respect for the family's privacy and would not comment further on the situation.