Netherlands football star Cody Gakpo scored a stunning goal in their World Cup clash against Morocco just days after revealing the death of his unborn son. The Liverpool forward broke down in tears after his 72nd-minute strike, unable to celebrate as teammates mobbed him.
Emotional Response on the Pitch
Gakpo was seen wiping away tears as the weight of the personal tragedy became evident. The goal, a smart finish from a brilliant assist by Crysencio Summerville, gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead before Morocco equalised in the 90th minute, sending the match into extra time.
Announcement of Loss
Two days before the match, Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bij shared heartbreaking news on social media. Van der Bij posted a photo of her hand interlocked with Gakpo's over an empty baby swaddle with the message: "With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy. Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son."
Gakpo added: "This is an incredibly difficult time for our family. We kindly ask for our privacy and space. Thank you for your understanding."
Sign from God
Van der Bij later shared what she described as a "sign from God" during their grieving process. "We went to church to light a candle. Afterward, we walked to the church playground with our son Samuel. 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."
Just last month, the couple had announced they were expecting a second child, posting on May 30: "Our little family is growing. We can't wait to meet you."
Match Outcome
Gakpo's goal looked set to be the winner, but Morocco's late equaliser forced extra time. The match continued with the score tied at 1-1.
