Cody Gakpo has become the second-highest goalscorer for the Netherlands in the history of the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship, trailing only Dennis Bergkamp. The Liverpool forward has recorded five goals across these two major international competitions, surpassing several prominent figures in Dutch football history.
The milestone follows Gakpo’s performance during the 2024 European Championship, where his scoring contributed to the Netherlands’ progression through the group stages. By reaching the five-goal mark in major tournament play, Gakpo has moved into a statistical tier occupied only by Bergkamp in the specific context of World Cup and Euro appearances for the national team.
Gakpo’s scoring progression in major tournaments
Gakpo’s ascent in the Dutch scoring hierarchy is the result of consistent production across two consecutive major tournament cycles. His impact was first noted on the global stage during the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar. During that tournament, Gakpo scored two goals, including a strike against Ecuador in the group stage and a crucial goal against Argentina in the Round of 16.
The forward maintained this momentum during the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament in Germany. Gakpo recorded three goals during the competition, finding the net against England, Austria, and Romania. This recent run of form has solidified his role as a primary attacking threat for the Netherlands national team, often operating from wide positions or in a central attacking role.
The Bergkamp benchmark
To understand the magnitude of Gakpo’s achievement, the statistics must be compared to the career of Dennis Bergkamp. The former Arsenal and Ajax striker remains the gold standard for Dutch goalscoring in major tournaments. Bergkamp recorded a total of eight goals across his FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship appearances.
Bergkamp’s record was built through high-stakes performances in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His World Cup tally includes goals against Yugoslavia and Argentina in 1998, as well as a notable hat-trick of sorts across the 2002 tournament against South Korea, Senegal, and Brazil. He also contributed two goals during the UEFA Euro 2000 campaign, including a strike in the semi-final against France. While Bergkamp’s total career international goal count is higher, his specific efficiency in the World Cup and Euro formats remains the benchmark for the current generation of Oranje players.
Comparative scoring hierarchy: Netherlands major tournaments
The following table illustrates the current standing of Dutch players regarding goals scored specifically in the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship:
| Player | Total Goals (WC & EURO) |
|---|---|
| Dennis Bergkamp | 8 |
| Cody Gakpo | 5 |
| Patrick Kluivert | 4 |
| Robin van Persie | 3 |
| Arjen Robben | 3 |
| Ruud van Nistelrooy | 3 |
As the data shows, Gakpo has successfully moved past legendary strikers such as Patrick Kluivert, who recorded four goals in the 1998 World Cup, to claim the second position on this specialized list.
The evolution of the Dutch attacking identity
Gakpo’s statistical rise reflects a broader shift in the tactical approach of the Netherlands national team. While previous eras relied on traditional “number nine” strikers like Patrick Kluivert or Ruud van Nistelrooy, the modern Dutch side has increasingly utilized versatile attackers who can drift between lines and contribute to build-up play.
This fluidity allows players like Gakpo to exploit spaces that were less accessible to the fixed forwards of the 1990s. The ability to score from both central and wide positions has been a key factor in Gakpo’s ability to accumulate goals at a rapid rate relative to his years of international experience. This evolution is central to how the Netherlands manages high-pressure tournament environments, balancing defensive structure with multi-faceted attacking threats.
The Netherlands is expected to continue its preparations for upcoming international windows, including the UEFA Nations League, where Gakpo’s scoring form will be closely monitored by coaching staff as they look to build momentum for future qualifying campaigns.
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