Netherlands football star Cody Gakpo has overcome a week of personal tragedy to score a stunning goal in their World Cup clash against Morocco.
Gakpo looked like being the hero when he fired the Dutch in front in the 72nd minute, but Morocco equalised on the cusp of full-time before triumphing 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout.
The Dutch rode their luck with Morocco having the better chances in the first half before Gakpo scored in the 72nd minute with a smart finish after a brilliant assist by Crysencio Summerville.
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The Liverpool star was immediately overcome with emotion, unable to celebrate as he was mobbed by teammates.
He could be seen wiping away tears as the toll of the recent personal tragedy was laid bare.
Two days before the match, Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bi shared the heartbreaking news that their unborn son has died.
Van der Bi posted a photo of her hand interlocked with Gakpo’s over an empty baby swaddle with a shattering message.
“With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy,” she said.
“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.”
Van der Bi went on to share a “sign from God” she believes they were sent as they started the grieving process.
“We went to church to light a candle. Afterward, we walked to the church playground with our son Samuel,” she wrote.
“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 revealed their joy that they were expecting a second child.
“Our little family is growing 🤍 we can’t wait to meet you,” they wrote on May 30.
Gakpo’s goal looked like being the winner until Morocco found an equaliser in the 90th minute through Issa Diop to send the match into extra time.
Bart Verbruggen produced a great save in the first period of extra-time as the match headed to penalties.
The shootout was one of the most dramatic in history, Netherlands scoring first in the shootout before Morocco blasted over the bar.
Justin Kluivert then missed for the Dutch before Verbruggen appeared to have saved Soufiane Rahimi’s penalty only to see it creep under his body.
Both sides made their next penalty to make 2-2 after three attempts each, and then Quinten Timber completely missed the target.
But Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi couldn’t captailise as his penalty hit the post.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou then kept out Summerville’s attempt with a brilliant one-handed save before Ismael Saibari finally sealed it for Morocco.
They will now face Canada in the last 16.
More to come …
