Cody Gakpo etched his name into Dutch football history by scoring his sixth FIFA World Cup goal during the Netherlands' 3-2 penalty shootout loss to Morocco in the Round of 32 at the 2026 tournament in Mexico. The goal moved him into a tie for second place on the Netherlands' all-time World Cup scoring list alongside legends Dennis Bergkamp, Wesley Sneijder, Rob Rensenbrink, Arjen Robben, and Robin van Persie. Only Johnny Rep, with seven goals, remains ahead.
Gakpo's Emotional Strike
Gakpo's 72nd-minute goal broke a long stalemate and put the Netherlands ahead 1-0. The strike carried deep emotional weight, as Gakpo was playing despite a personal tragedy: he and his partner, Noa van der Bij, had recently lost their unborn child during pregnancy. According to reports, Gakpo dedicated the goal to his family.
Despite his heroics, the Netherlands could not hold on. Morocco equalized in the 91st minute through a header from Issa Diop, who connected with a cross from Chemsdine Talbi. The match then went to extra time, where neither side could find a winner, leading to a penalty shootout.
Penalty Shootout Drama
The shootout was a tense affair, with both teams missing two penalties each. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou proved decisive, diving correctly to save Crysencio Summerville's spot-kick. Ismael Saibari then calmly converted the winning penalty, sealing a 3-2 victory for Morocco and sparking jubilant celebrations.
The match was one of the highest-quality ties of the Round of 32, pitting the sixth-ranked Morocco against the seventh-ranked Netherlands. It was only the second match of the tournament to be decided by penalties, after Paraguay eliminated Germany earlier on Monday.
Gakpo's Place in History
With six World Cup goals, Gakpo has matched the tally of some of the Netherlands' greatest players. His record is particularly impressive given that he achieved it in just two tournaments (2022 and 2026). Johnny Rep's seven goals have stood as the national record since the 1970s.
Gakpo's performance highlights his emergence as a key player for the Netherlands, even as the team fell short of advancing. Morocco, meanwhile, will face Canada in the Round of 16 at NRG Stadium on Saturday, continuing their historic run in the tournament.
