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Cody Gakpo scores emotional goal after loss of unborn son

sportsJun 30, 2026471,636

Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo scored in the World Cup round-of-32 match against Morocco in Monterrey, giving the Netherlands a 1-0 lead late in the game and collapsing to his knees visibly emotional as team-mates ran to celebrate with him. Gakpo had remained with the squad after his partner announced Saturday that their unborn son had died during the pregnancy. Dutch players and staff publicly supported Gakpo ahead of and during the match as he carried that grief onto the field. The goal came days after the couple made the loss known, and teammates’ immediate celebration underscored the squad’s attempt to rally around him during the knockout tie. Gakpo’s availability for the match, his finish that put the Netherlands ahead, and the team’s on-field embrace were the concrete developments from the game and the personal tragedy.

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