Cody Gakpo’s three goals in the first half of the 2022 World Cup gave the Netherlands hope, caught everyone’s attention, and all but clinched a lucrative transfer to Liverpool.

Moreover, Gakpo has scored three goals thus far in Euro 2024. Once more, he gives the Netherlands optimism over their prospects. Despite spending the last 18 months at Liverpool, he has managed to attract almost no attention in this competition despite his efforts.

Before the Dutch team plays Turkey in Berlin in the quarterfinal, the team that the oddsmakers have selected as the favorite to win the Golden Boot of the tournament is Gakpo.

But with all of the excitement surrounding the loaded top half of the bracket and England’s terrible troubles, Gakpo and his team have been able to move forward without too much scrutiny.

According to Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman, “Cody’s maybe our most important player till now,” he told reporters. “I’m hoping the others can reach that degree.”

One may argue that Gakpo’s contributions to date have been more relevant than they were during the World Cup. Furthermore, he is just as dangerous an attacker as any other player in the competition.

His first goal of the competition was the equalizer against Poland in a comeback victory that took on even more significance at the conclusion of Group D play.

In the end, it may have been fortunate that Gakpo was unable to stop Austria from winning the match, even though it did see the Netherlands finish third in their group. Gakpo also tied the score against them.

His most impressive performance came in the round of 16, when he scored a goal against Romania with a clean finish and masterminded a beautiful move to set up Donyell Malen for the second.

The Netherlands, despite their best performance in the round of 16, now face a weak Turkey squad, but their skill level and potential audience at the Olympiastadion are formidable.