Emotional Gakpo scores days after loss of unborn son

Cody Gakpo, the 27-year-old Liverpool forward, opened the scoring for the Netherlands in their World Cup round-of-16 tie against Morocco on Sunday. After finding the net, he fell to his knees in tears and was immediately surrounded by supportive teammates. The goal came just days after his partner, Noa van der Bij, announced on Saturday that their unborn son had passed away during pregnancy. The couple was expecting a second child, due in October, but Gakpo chose to remain with the national team. Netherlands and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk embraced Gakpo as the players walked back to their own half after the goal. Van der Bij shared a picture on social media of the couple holding hands over a blanket and a knitted hat, writing: "With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy. Elijah Raphael Gakpo. Forever loved. Forever our son." Morocco's Issa Diop equalized in stoppage time to force extra time, but no further goals were scored. Morocco won the penalty shootout 3-2. Gakpo was substituted in the 113th minute and did not take part in the shootout. He had started all of the Netherlands' World Cup games and scored three goals overall.