Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is heading home from World Cup 2026 after his Netherlands team were knocked out in the Round of 32 by Morocco.
Koeman’s side went ahead when Cody Gakpo scored the opener for the Dutch side. The forward then couldn’t hold back the tears, scoring just days after it was announced he and his partner had lost their unborn son
The goal looked set to send the Netherlands through to the last 16 but Issa Diop popped up with an equaliser for Morocco in the 91st minute to send the game
into extra-time.
After a goalless extra 30 minutes, it was onto penalties and victory for Morocco. Both teams missed twice before Ismael Saibari converted the winning penalty to send Morocco through to a last 16 tie with co-hosts Canada.
It’s a desperately disappointing defeat for the Netherlands and De Jong. The midfielder will now enjoy some time off on holiday before returning to Barcelona for pre-season.
