{"id":5732,"date":"2026-06-30T08:05:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T08:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=5732"},"modified":"2026-06-30T08:05:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T08:05:16","slug":"a-goal-a-prayer-and-a-standing-ovation-for-cody-gakpo-amid-personal-grief","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=5732","title":{"rendered":"A goal, a prayer and a standing ovation for Cody Gakpo amid personal grief"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
Netherlands\u2019 Cody Gakpo, kneeling, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team\u2019s first goal during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the Netherlands and Morocco in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo\/Ricardo Mazalan)<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

GUADALUPE, Mexico \u2014 After scoring in the 72nd minute, Cody Gakpo immediately sank to his knees.<\/p>

Read more World Cup \u2018crunch time\u2019 has arrived. Here are the storylines to watch.<\/a><\/p>\n

As his teammates immediately rushed toward him in celebration, the 27-year-old forward covered his face while weeping, later pointing to the sky and appearing to pray.<\/p>\n

While this marked Gakpo\u2019s third goal of the World Cup<\/a> , this goal in the Round of 32 loss to Morocco<\/a> on Monday was especially emotional for him.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, Gakpo and his partner, model Noa van der Bij, announced the death of their unborn child.<\/p>\n

Despite the grief, Gakpo was determined to continue on in the tournament.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he dealt with it very well,\u201d Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman had said before the game. \u201cThere was never a moment where he said he wanted to leave the squad and go home. That says a lot about his maturity and the way in which he can deal with this.\u201d<\/p>

Read more Miles Mikolas, Nats\u2019 offense struggle in series-opening loss to Red Sox<\/a><\/p>\n

And just as Gakpo has been a key contributor for the Oranje, his teammates have been there to support him and his family during this difficult time.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important thing is to ask, \u2018What do you need?\u2019\u201d Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said. \u201cIt\u2019s awful news, and reminds us that football is secondary and there are much more important things in life.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the 113th minute, Gakpo was substituted off for Justin Kluivert.<\/p>\n

As he walked off the pitch, the Netherlands fans in a section behind the goal immediately rose for a standing ovation. As Gakpo rounded the corner toward the bench, the applause only grew louder \u2014 a show of appreciation for someone who showed up for his team while dealing with tragedy.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

Maya Koluder-Ramirez is a student in the University of Georgia\u2019s Carmical Sports Media Institute. ____<\/p>

Read more US playing at home and trying to avoid another quick exit from World Cup knockout rounds<\/a><\/p>\n

See more of AP\u2019s World Cup coverage here<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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