The match ended 1-1 in regulation time and heads to overtime to determine who qualifies. This journalistic note is written when extra time begins.
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup with a goal that sparked an emotional celebration. The attacker raised his arms to the sky, burst into tears, covered his face with his shirt and was hugged by all his teammates, in one of the most moving postcards of the day.
The footballer’s partner, Noa van der Bij, announced on June 27 the loss of their son, Elijah Raphael, through a message published on Instagram, in which they both thanked the support received and expressed the deep pain that the family is going through.
Despite the difficult personal moment, Gakpo decided to remain focused on the Dutch team. Coach Ronald Koeman and his teammates supported the forward, who chose to continue representing his country during the World Cup.
His score against Morocco acquired a meaning that transcended sports. More than a goal, it was a tribute to his son and a moment of relief in the midst of one of the most difficult experiences of his life.
However, the meeting still holds emotions. Morocco managed to equalize the score in the final stretch of regulation time and took the tie to overtime, so who qualified for the round of 16 is still not defined at the close of this publication.