Dutch stars rally around grieving teammate after scoring ahead of World Cup exit
· Yahoo Sports
Noa van der Bij, partner of Netherlands and Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo, shared on Instagram last week that the couple heartbreakingly lost their unborn son during pregnancy.
This heartbreak was clear to see from Gakpo after he found the net against Morocco in the 71st minute on Monday, immediately collapsing to the turf in tears as teammates from both the field and the sideline rushed over to console him. The player was given authorization to fly home from the FIFA World Cup to be with loved ones.
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Despite this, he remained committed to staying with the team and was named in coach Ronald Koeman's starting eleven against Morocco on Monday night in Monterrey, as per The Mirror US.
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Gakpo met a loose ball following a lengthy run by teammate Cysencio Summerville and fell to the ground while taking his shot. The emotional Dutch winger remained down, covering his head, as his teammates surrounded him in support.
Koeman discussed Gakpo's circumstances at length during his pre-match press conference. "It was very sad news that we learned and that Cody and his family learned," Koeman told reporters.
"We have done what was within our power in terms of support, as players, as staff. Of course, the first few days he had the freedom to go out to his family and be with them.
"He dealt with it very well, there was never a moment where he said 'I want to go back, I want to be with the family."
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Gakpo, 27, has now scored 10 goals for the Netherlands at major tournaments — six at the World Cup and four at the UEFA Euros — leaving him just one short of the nation's all-time record.
His Liverpool teammate and Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk offered words of encouragement to Gakpo ahead of the fixture.
"It's awful news, and it shows that football is secondary," Van Dijk said.
"There are more important things in life. It's very sad, but Cody deals with it, and he's keen to go to the next round. He'll do whatever he can (to help the Netherlands progress), that's where the focus lies right now."
Gakpo is coming off a turbulent campaign at Liverpool, where head coach Arne Slot — who was a consistent advocate for the towering Dutch winger — was relieved of his duties.
-Credit:ANP, ANP via Getty ImagesDespite Gakpo's strike, Monday's game ultimately didn't go the Netherlands' way, with Issa Diop equalizing in injury time. After extra time ended goalless, the game went to penalties, with Ismael Saibari scoring the winner for Morocco.
This marks the first time the Netherlands has failed to win a World Cup knockout game since 2006 (having qualified for all but one tournament during that span).
Meanwhile, Morocco will now go on to face tournament co-hosts Canada in the Round of 16 on Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston.