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By Megan Armstrong
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Liverpool star left winger Cody Gakpo was appearing in his second World Cup for the Netherlands when he and Noa van der Bij, his longtime partner, announced unthinkable personal news on Saturday, June 27.
"With broken hearts, we share the devastating news that our baby boy passed away during pregnancy," Noa van der Bij posted to her Instagram Story. "Thank you for your love and support."
Despite the unending heartbreak, Gakpo made himself available to the Netherlands for their Round-of-32 matchup with Morocco at the 2026 FIFA men's World Cup in Monterrey, Mexico, on Monday.
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Gakpo put the Netherlands ahead with a 72nd-minute goal and was overcome by emotion. His Oranje teammates flocked from the bench to support him through his tears.
The couple disclosed the baby's name as Elijah Raphael Gakpo but did not share when the miscarriage occurred. Gakpo kindly asked for "privacy and space" during "an incredibly difficult time for our family." He and van der Bij also share Samuel, two.
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Unfortunately, Gakpo's goal wasn't enough for the Netherlands. Morocco's Isso Diop found the equalizer in second-half stoppage time, sending the match to extra time. And when the score remained locked after extra time, we got penalty kicks, where Morocco emerged victorious, 3-2.
The loss marks the first time in Netherlands' history that they've failed to reach the Round of 16 at the men's World Cup, per Yahoo! Sports. Morocco moves on to face Canada in the Round of 16 at NRG Stadium in Houston on Saturday, July 4.
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