CODY GAKPO has been hailed by girlfriend Noa van der Bij after overcoming personal tragedy to find the net in the Netherlands’ World Cup showdown with Morocco.
The Liverpool winger, 27, took to the pitch just days after it was announced he and his partner had during pregnancy.
Cody Gakpo was emotional after finding the net Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The winger’s girlfriend Noa van der Bij posted an emotional message on social media Credit: Instagram
And Gakpo when he put the Netherlands in front during their last 32 tie against Morocco.
He quickly sank to his knees before his team-mates surrounded him in a beautiful show of support.
Gakpo’s girlfriend headed onto social media to make an emotional two-word statement after his goal.
In a post uploaded onto Instagram Stories, wrote: “So proud.”
It was accompanied by a snap of Gakpo celebrating by pointing to the heavens in tribute following the heartbreaking miscarriage.
The was kissed on the head by Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven when he was overwhelmed after getting his name on the scoresheet.
Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk also embraced his pal, while Gakpo allowed himself a smile as he was congratulated on his goal by Crysencio Summerville.
But it did not prove to be the winner as Morocco hit back and went on to end the Netherlands’ World Cup dreams in a .
Van der Bij and Gakpo heartbreakingly lost their baby during pregnancy Credit: noavdbij/instagram
defender Issa Diop cancelled out Gakpo’s opener with a stoppage time header, forcing extra-time.
Neither side could be separated in the additional 30 minutes, leading to the tie being decided from 12 yards.
Moroccan duo Neil El Aynaoui and Achraf Hakimi struck the woodwork with their attempts from the spot.
But the Netherlands were knocked out of the World Cup when Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber and missed.
Morocco will now face tournament co-hosts Canada, who on Sunday, for a place in the quarter-finals.
The Netherlands had progressed to the knockout stages after wins over Sweden and Tunisia, following a stalemate with Japan, in Group F.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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