by Dollita Okine, Face2FaceAfrica.com
Photo via: Instagram, Cody Gakpo
Dutch soccer star Cody Gakpo experienced an emotional moment when the Netherlands faced Morocco in the 2026 World Cup knockout game on Monday, June 29. Gakpo scored his team’s first goal in the 72nd minute, just two days after he and partner Noa van der Bij announced their pregnancy loss.
In a video released by Fox Sports, the athlete covered his face, looked up at the sky, and pointed upward shortly after giving his team a brief lead.
In another video posted by Fox Sports, the 27-year-old Liverpool forward’s teammates came onto the field to cheer him on, forming a circle around him and putting their arms around one another while the crowd applauded.
“You can feel the heavy weight of emotion that is running through Cody Gakpo right now, all of his teammates coming together for a man that has been through so much in the last 48 hours, but has put his country ahead,” an announcer said as Gakpo’s teammates took turns hugging the soccer star, according to People.
On Saturday, June 27, his partner Van der Bij shared her pregnancy loss on Instagram Stories.
“With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy,” she wrote. “Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son.”
“This is an incredibly difficult time for our family,” Gakpo wrote after sharing the photo to his own Instagram Stories, adding, “We kindly ask for privacy and space. Thank you for understanding.”
The Dutch Football Association told People ahead of Monday’s match that Gakpo would still participate in the competition.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with Cody and his family, Noa and their son Samuel,” the statement read. “This is a very sad, private situation. We were, of course, already aware of what had happened, and we are supporting the family wherever we can. After discussing the situation with his partner, Cody has decided to remain with the team. We respect their privacy and will therefore not comment further on the situation, including the ways in which we are supporting them.”
Coach Ronald Koeman stated at a pre-game press conference that Gakpo handled the situation with “maturity,” according to The Athletic.
“I don’t think it’ll be a heavy weight on his performance,” he said, per the outlet. “He deals with things with his family in his own way and it’s very powerful, it’s beautiful and we’ve left it there. We’ve been his support, he can count on us, on the other players and the players handled it in their way.”
The game ended in a 1-1 draw in Guadalupe, Mexico, but Morocco prevailed in a penalty shootout. According to ESPN, this is the earliest time the Netherlands has ever been eliminated from a World Cup competition.
Gakpo and Van der Bij welcomed their first son, Samuel, in April 2025. He had previously shared how he was anticipating the arrival of his newest child on social media.
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