The Netherlands elimination against Morocco not only marked the end of the World Cup for the Dutch, but also gave Cody Gakpo a special statistic. Thanks to his goal, the forward is now one of only 3 players to have scored at least 3 goals at both the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.
Gakpo joins exclusive World Cup list with Messi and Mbappé despite Netherlands exit
Cody Gakpo left the World Cup with a personal milestone, even though the Netherlands saw their tournament come to a painful end against Morocco. The 1-1 draw was not enough to keep Oranje alive, but Gakpo’s goal added his name to a very exclusive World Cup list alongside Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi.
The Liverpool forward is now one of only 3 players to have scored at least 3 goals at both the 2022 and 2026 World Cups. That statistic places him among 2 of the biggest names in modern football and underlines how consistent he has been for the Netherlands on the biggest international stage.
A special achievement on a painful Dutch night
For the Netherlands, the match against Morocco will mainly be remembered as the end of another World Cup campaign filled with hope, tension and frustration. Oranje once again had enough quality to compete, but not enough to go all the way. The result left the Dutch players disappointed, with their tournament ending earlier than they wanted.
For Gakpo, however, the night carried a different personal meaning. His goal did not change the final outcome for the Netherlands, but it confirmed his status as one of the most reliable Dutch performers in recent World Cup football. In a team that has often searched for a decisive attacking figure, Gakpo has repeatedly been the player to deliver in important moments.
Scoring at a World Cup is already a major achievement. Doing it across 2 different tournaments shows a different level of consistency. Gakpo was important for the Netherlands in 2022 and has again managed to leave a mark in 2026. That is why his name now appears in such rare company.
Only Messi and Mbappé share the same record
Gakpo joins a select group that, for now, includes only Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. No other player has managed to score at least 3 goals per tournament at each of the last 2 World Cups. That makes the achievement even more impressive, because it is not simply about scoring 1 memorable goal or enjoying 1 strong campaign.
Mbappé and Messi have defined much of the recent World Cup story. Messi produced unforgettable moments for Argentina, while Mbappé has become one of the most feared forwards in international football. For Gakpo to be listed beside them in this specific statistic says a lot about his productivity for the Netherlands.
Of course, the list could still change as the tournament continues. Several players may still have the chance to reach the same mark, depending on how far their teams go and how many goals they add. But at this point, Gakpo’s place in that group is already a notable achievement and gives his World Cup record a special weight.
Gakpo reaches 6 World Cup goals for Oranje
His goal against Morocco also took Gakpo to 6 World Cup goals for the Netherlands. That total puts him level with some of the most respected names in Dutch football history: Dennis Bergkamp, Wesley Sneijder, Rob Rensenbrink, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie.
It is a remarkable group to join. Bergkamp is remembered for elegance and one of the most iconic goals in Dutch World Cup history. Sneijder was the creative leader of the side that reached the 2010 final. Rensenbrink was one of the great Dutch attacking names of the 1970s. Robben and Van Persie were central figures in a strong Oranje generation that remained competitive at the highest level.
Gakpo has now matched them in World Cup goals. That does not automatically place him above them in overall legacy, but it does show how effective he has been when wearing the national shirt in the biggest tournament in football. At 6 goals, he is no longer just a player with potential. He is already part of Dutch World Cup history.
John Rep remains the only Dutch player ahead
Only John Rep remains above Gakpo on the Netherlands World Cup scoring list. Rep scored 7 goals across the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, 2 tournaments that still hold a major place in Dutch football memory. Those teams did not lift the trophy, but they shaped the identity of Oranje for generations.
Gakpo is now only 1 goal behind that national benchmark. That makes his future with the Netherlands even more interesting. If he plays at another World Cup and scores again, he could equal or even overtake Rep as the top Dutch scorer in World Cup history.
That possibility gives his achievement extra importance. What happened against Morocco was painful for the team, but for Gakpo individually it may be remembered as another step towards a major Dutch record. He has already moved beyond the category of promising forward and into the territory of record-chasing international player.
A consistent performer in a changing Dutch team
One of the most important parts of Gakpo’s rise is the way he has adapted to different demands in the Dutch attack. He is not only a player who waits for chances inside the penalty area. He can move across the front line, drop into pockets of space, carry the ball forward and finish with composure when opportunities appear.
That flexibility has made him valuable for Oranje. In major tournaments, where matches are often tight and chances are limited, forwards need to be efficient. Gakpo has shown that he can score in different situations and against different types of opponents. That is why his numbers at World Cup level are so significant.
The Netherlands have had many talented attackers over the years, but not every forward has managed to translate club quality into World Cup goals. Gakpo has done that. His record now shows not just talent, but end product on the biggest stage.
Netherlands leave with frustration despite Gakpo milestone
Still, the personal record will not fully soften the disappointment of elimination. The Netherlands wanted to go deeper into the tournament and had enough quality to believe that a longer run was possible. Instead, the draw with Morocco became the final chapter of their campaign.
For the Dutch squad, the frustration will come from knowing that individual moments were not enough. Gakpo scored, but Oranje could not turn the match into the result they needed. That contrast makes the night bittersweet. One player reached a historic mark, while the team as a whole had to accept the end of its World Cup journey.
Morocco, meanwhile, will take huge confidence from the result. Holding the Netherlands and ending their tournament adds another strong moment to their recent international story. For them, this was a night of belief and survival. For the Netherlands, it was a night of regret.
A record that gives Gakpo a stronger place in Dutch history
When the emotion of the elimination settles, Gakpo’s numbers will stand out more clearly. Scoring at least 3 goals in 2 consecutive World Cups is not common. Reaching 6 World Cup goals for the Netherlands is not common either. Doing both by this stage of his international career gives him a strong place in the Oranje story.
He is now level with legends, chasing the national World Cup scoring record, and listed beside Messi and Mbappé in a rare modern statistic. That combination makes his achievement impossible to ignore, even on a day dominated by Dutch disappointment.
The Netherlands may be out, but Gakpo leaves the tournament with his reputation strengthened. His goal against Morocco did not save Oranje, but it confirmed his importance, his consistency and his growing status as one of the most productive Dutch players ever at World Cup level.
For the team, the end came too soon. For Gakpo, the match added another chapter to a personal World Cup story that is becoming more impressive with every tournament.
