FIFA World Cup 2026: Cody Gakpo in tears, scores days after death of unborn son

In the modern era of highly analyzed top sport, we often confuse athletes with machines. We demand consistency, expect unwavering focus, and treat their public triumphs as routine. But on a sweltering Tuesday evening at Mexico’s Monterrey Stadium, Cody Gakpo reminded the world of the fragile, beating heart beneath the Dutch jersey.

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Just three days earlier, the Liverpool and Netherlands striker had been cast into a private hell. His partner Noa van der Bij shared the devastating news on social media on Saturday that the couple had lost their unborn son. As the football world looked on in shock, Gakpo was given compassionate leave to be with the family at the Dutch team’s tournament base in Kansas City.

The tragedy put football into sharp perspective. Yet when Ronald Koeman’s side went into their high-stakes FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Morocco, Gakpo were in the lead.

For 71 minutes, the match was a tense, claustrophobic affair. The Netherlands were frustrated by a stubborn Moroccan defence, the weight of expectation hanging heavy in the Mexican air. Then came the 72nd minute.

When Crysencio Summerville drew a heavy foul, the winger managed a desperate, last-ditch clearance into Gakpo’s path. The striker made no mistake and struck a killer blow past Yassin Bounou to break the deadlock.

But what followed was a visceral release of human agony.

There were no over-the-top celebrations from Gakpo when the ball hit the back of the net. Instead, the moment was marked by a quiet, visible outpouring of raw emotion. His teammates immediately rallied around him and offered a collective hug of support and solidarity on the field, making sure their talisman felt the full support of the team in front of the watching world. Dutch players hug teammate Cody Gakpo after scoring a goal in the 32nd round (Reuters Photo)

In the stands, the traveling Dutch fans were visibly devastated. Acknowledging the monumental courage it took for their number nine to cross the white line at all, the entire stadium rose to give Gakpo a thunderous standing ovation. Emotions rippled across the Atlantic; back at a Kansas City sports bar near Holland’s camp, American neutrals and traveling fans alike erupted into spontaneous applause, moved by a moment that transcended sports.

Just 24 hours ago, Koeman spoke enthusiastically of his striker’s remarkable mental strength. “There was never a moment where he said ‘I want to go home’,” revealed the Oranje manager. “He’s ready to play… He handles things his way. It’s very powerful, beautiful.”

Van Dijk echoed those sentiments, reminding reporters that football remains completely secondary to the harsh realities of life. “It’s terrible news,” the captain said Monday. “He’s very mature, very mature. I have a lot of respect for how he and his family are handling it.”

In the end, Gakpo’s goal put the Netherlands in front in a tense round of 32 affair. But tactical schedules and tournament brackets fade from memory. What will remain etched in World Cup history is the image of a young man, broken by personal tragedy, finding strength for his country, comforted by the collective embrace of his teammates.

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Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

30 Jun 2026 08:35 IST