Online Reporter
The outpouring of emotion from Cody Gakpo after he scored for the Netherlands against Morocco at the World Cup on Monday showed that while the tournament captivates billions around the world, the game does not transcend personal tragedy.
Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bij lost their unborn baby boy several months into the pregnancy last week, and when the striker scored the opening goal in the round-of-32 tie against Morocco, he fell in a heap on the ground and burst into tears.
It was a moving moment for all in the stadium, with his Dutch teammates’ delight at going ahead in the game tempered by an immediate understanding of Gakpo’s grief, and their gestures of concern showed their empathy.
Captain Virgil van Dijk had expressed as much on the eve of the game when he told reporters: “It’s awful news, and it shows that football is secondary. There are more important things in life.”
Morocco equalised late on and eventually triumphed in a penalty shootout, eliciting more tears from the defeated Dutch but none that could compare with the raw emotion of Gakpo’s heartbreak.
Just as poignant were the television pictures after his goal that showed his parents in the stands also in tears.
Van der Bij had posted a picture on social media of the pair holding hands over a blanket and knitted hat.
“With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy,” she wrote in announcing the news.
“Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son.”
She then posted a photo of a candle and cross, with the message: “We went to church to light a candle. Afterward, we walked to the church playground with our son Samuel.”
Gakpo also posted on social media: “This is an incredibly difficult time for our family.
“We kindly ask for our privacy and space. Thank you for your understanding.”
Meanwhile, thousands of Morocco supporters erupted at the final whistle in the last World Cup match to be played in Monterrey, while many local fans celebrated with them after backing the African side throughout the evening.
“We know this type of game, we know against who we play,” captain Achraf Hakimi said. “We have to be focused and be strong physically but also mentally.
“I want to say thank you for Mexico for the support, all the Moroccans that came to support us.”
The Atlas Lions enjoyed vocal backing throughout, with many Mexican supporters adopting Morocco for the night and reviving chants of “No era penal (It wasn’t a penalty)”, recalling the controversial penalty that helped the Netherlands eliminate Mexico at the 2014 World Cup.
EMOTIONAL OPENER
The substitute’s impact was immediate as he won a flick-on that released Summerville, whose persistence created the opening for Gakpo to sweep a first-time finish beyond Bounou in the 72nd minute.
Playing days after he and his partner lost their unborn son during pregnancy, Gakpo broke down in tears as teammates rushed to embrace him.
The Netherlands looked increasingly comfortable, with captain Virgil van Dijk producing a crucial intervention to deny Saibari as Morocco threw numbers forward in search of an equaliser.
But just as the Dutch appeared set to see out the victory, substitute Chemsdine Talbi delivered a pinpoint cross from the left and Diop rose above Van Dijk to power a stoppage-time header beyond Verbruggen, sending the match into extra time.
“The game plan was working,” Van Dijk said. “In the end, in stoppage time, you get pushed back. Then it goes to penalties and then… unfortunately, we’re eliminated.
“Of course there are always things that could be better, but that doesn’t help us now.” – Reuters
