Cody Gakpo scored against Morocco, days after the death of his unborn son Alex Pantling – FIFA via Getty Images
It was one of the most emotional moments of the World Cup so far.
After breaking clear on the counter-attack in their round of 32 game with Morocco, Netherlands winger Crysencio Summerville slipped the ball to Cody Gakpo.
Racing into the penalty area, Gakpo met the pass and shot beyond Yassine Bounou in the Morocco goal.
The Liverpool forward immediately sank to his knees, covering his head with his hands and stayed there for around 10 seconds. He was encircled by his Netherlands team-mates, including substitutes, who raced to embrace him.
Netherlands players surround Cody Gakpo after his goalJulio Cesar AGUILAR/AFP via Getty Images
Just two days earlier, Gakpo’s partner, Noa van der Bij, had revealed the heartbreaking loss of their unborn son.
“With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy,” she wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of the couple holding hands over a blanket and hat. “Thank you for your love and support. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son.”
She also posted a photo of a candle and cross, with the caption: “We went to church to light a candle. Afterward, we walked to the church playground with our son Samuel. 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.”
Gakpo chose to remain with the Netherlands squad and play in Monday’s knockout match.
After returning to his feet following his goal, he was visibly emotional, covering his face with his shirt.
Cody Gakpo covers his face after scoringANP via Getty Images
He was comforted by Denzel Dumfries, a former team-mate at PSV Eindhoven and hugged by Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk. Last summer, they were members of a Liverpool squad that had to cope with the tragic death of Diogo Jota.
Virgil van Dijk embraces Cody GakpoCarl Recine/Getty Images
As Gakpo made his way back to the centre circle, he pointed to the sky, paying tribute to his unborn son.
Cody Gakpo, left, points to the sky alongside Crysencio SummervilleRoy Lazet/Soccrates/Getty Images
Sharing a photo of that image on her Instagram, Gakpo’s partner wrote: “So proud.”
Speaking to reporters at his press conference before the Morocco match, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman said: “It was very sad news that we learned and that Cody and his family learned. 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’. So that was the way he took it and the way he approached it and that shows his maturity.”
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Captain Van Dijk told reporters before the game: “The most important thing is to ask: ‘What do you need?’. It’s awful news and it shows that football is secondary. There are more important things in life.”
Gakpo’s goal was a poignant moment in a World Cup already filled with emotion.
On the opening day of the competition, Mexico’s Raul Jimenez was in tears on the pitch as he dedicated his first World Cup goal to his late father, who had passed away three months earlier.
Cape Verde’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha was also reduced to tears as he told his story after his man-of-the-match display against Spain earned his side a memorable 0-0 draw.
“I cried after the game because I grew up with my grandparents when I was a kid, and they could not be there,” he told reporters, including The Athletic, after the match. “They passed away a few years ago. My mum could not be here either for a visa issue, and the money we had to pay for it. We did not manage to do this in time.”
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It has all served as a reminder that footballers are more than just players on a pitch. The importance of family has been a recurring theme throughout this tournament.
The subject of fatherhood, and everything that entails, has also been keenly felt at this World Cup.
France Pierron, a presenter with French TV station L’Equipe, was roundly rebuked after she criticised Belgium winger Jeremy Doku for wanting to attend the birth of his first child.
She told L’Equipe the “father is useless” during the birth process, adding: “You are not going to cut an umbilical cord; you can’t miss a World Cup.”
She later apologised for her comments.
Doku, who plays for Manchester City, flew home to the UK and was present for the birth of his son, Praise, before returning to the World Cup.
Gakpo’s goal, his third of the tournament, ultimately was not enough to keep the Netherlands in the competition. Morocco equalised in stoppage time before winning 3-2 on penalties, ending Dutch hopes.
Despite their early exit, one of the enduring images of this World Cup will surely be Gakpo and the sight of his team-mates rallying to support him in his time of need.
Source: www.nytimes.com
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