Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo scored the opening goal in his country's World Cup last-32 tie against Morocco, appearing visibly emotional. The goal came days after Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, shared the heartbreaking news of the loss of their unborn son during pregnancy.
Gakpo fell to his knees after scoring, and was immediately embraced by his teammates, including captain Virgil van Dijk, in a show of support. Despite his personal tragedy, Gakpo opted to remain with the squad for the tournament.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with Issa Diop equalizing for Morocco in stoppage time. The Netherlands ultimately lost 3-2 on penalties, with Gakpo substituted in the 113th minute and not participating in the shootout.
Liverpool