The goalkeeper was in incredible form, producing a performance that will be remembered for years to come
After scoring the first goal in their World Cup history, Curacao added another milestone Saturday by earning their first point with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. The result sends the Caribbean side into Matchday 3 still alive in the race for a knockout-round place. Miami FC goalkeeper Eloy Room, already notable as one of the first United Soccer League players to appear at a World Cup alongside teammate Jurgen Locadia, delivered a sensational performance with 15 saves to keep the Blue Wave level.
Room finished just one stop shy of Tim Howard’s World Cup record of 16 saves. His 15-save outing is also the highest total in a World Cup match without extra time since saves began being officially tracked in 1996. Curacao’s run was already historic, with the nation of roughly 158,000 people becoming the smallest country ever to qualify for the tournament. Now, they can take another step into the record books if they beat Ivory Coast on June 25 in Philadelphia.
For Ecuador, the draw makes the path forward far more complicated. La Tri will now need a victory over Germany to keep their campaign alive. A matchup with an island nation whose squad includes only one Curacao-born player, Tahith Chong, looked on paper like a chance to collect three points. But in a World Cup where Cabo Verde can hold Spain to a draw, there are few guarantees.
Curacao have proved they belong in this expanded 48-team field, and their ambitions now clearly extend beyond participation. After netting their first World Cup goal against Germany and battling Ecuador to a draw, Dick Advocaat’s fearless side will turn its attention to chasing a first-ever World Cup win — and, potentially, a place in the knockout stage.
Group E standings
